On Thu, 13 Dec 2007 20:02:54 +0100, GTH
wrote:

Alan Baker a écrit :

I think one of the factors you're overlooking is vibration.

Certain engine configurations have less vibration due to the arrangement
of the reciprocating and revolving components:

A 90 degree V-8; a straight-6; ...

...and a flat-4.

A V-4 would have more vibration than a flat-4.


Right on that one.
Also it is interesting to observe that only *short* crankshaft engines
achieved success in civilian airplanes after WWII : radials, short flat
fours, or sixes.

Inline engines with their longer crankshaft have only survived in
marginal quantities in Eastern Europe.

Best regards,
***************************************
My first military aircraft was the PT-19A with a 200 HP inverted
Franklin air cooled engine.

Primary reason they are not flying today is the PT-19 had a bunch of
expensive AD's on the wood in the wing.

Don't ever remember the engine over temping and bird did not have any
cowel flaps.

Don't remember any engine failures on field during my Primary Training
period. Chit chat was that it was a good engine.

Big John