The largest displacement aviation engine to be mass produced in the US.
But then there's this: Although mechanically reliable in flight, it developed an unenviable reputation for in-flight fires, particularly in its Boeing Stratocruiserapplication, and in addition the Wasp Major was maintenance-intensive. Improper starting technique could foul all 56 spark plugs; requiring hours to clean or replace.
Wasp Majors were produced between 1944 and 1955; 18,697 were built. Yep, I'd call that mass production.
How would you like to safety wire the cylinder base nuts on that monster ?? You wouldn't have any skin left on your knuckles me thinks
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pratt-whitney.com/R4360_Wasp_Major_Engine
ReplyDeleteThe cylinder base nuts had no safety wire, they had pal nuts ( a thin stamped lock nut on top of the cylinder base nut that keeps them from backing off)
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