Ethanol Powered Aircraft

kontiki wrote:
Bret Ludwig wrote:
Even given a unlimited fuel supply they will be out of the air well
within my lifetime unless highly modified or someone starts making
R-3350 Turbocompound and RR Merlin parts again including cases, banks
and cranks.

Can you provide any information to back that statement up?

Yes. The supply of "desireable dash number" RR Merlin (and Allison)
parts is becoming very limited. A few things are available new from PMA
or noncertified suppliers-most, but not all Warbirds operate
Experimental but P-51s may be on restricted, Limited or even, I think,,
standard C of A-but others are not. No one will make cranks and gears
are quite problematic now. Aeroproducts prop parts are also getting
very scarce. Of course they can do what Spitfire owners have had to do
and go over to a German Hoffmann prop.

The R-3350 Turbocompound was a maintenance nightmare in its own day.
Conversion to a straight 3350 would be possible but the power is
substantially less. The later aircraft would have to operate virtually
empty. R-4360s could be adapted but they are also cantankerous. I think
the day of the flying Connie is nearly over myself.


The Connies could now be converted to turboprop in the
stock nacelle and with the stock blades (the hub, or at least the pitch
mechanism, would need changing depending on whether a single or double
shaft engine were used) but a turbine Mustang just isn't a Mustang and
Allisons are in the same boat.

A Connie has limited "collector" value as opposed to "exhibitor" or
however you want to put it value. A turbine conversion on one would be
very expensive but since the trend is that the very wealthy are getting
a lot richer and everyone else is getting poorer , there are thoise for
whom money is no deterrent. (For better or worse, few are particularly
interested in old airplanes.)


Turbine engines are extremely expensive.... turbine conversions have been
certified for a few types but waay to expensive for most people. You
are not gonna get people who own classic airplanes to pretty much destroy
their collector value by installing a turbine... even if it could be done.

Most people are not who flies warbirds.


Running them on straight ethanol would be the easy mod.

If its so easy why haven't you come out with the kit and STC for all these
airplanes? Can wee sue you if things don't work out?

Anyone can sue anyone for anything at any time in the US. However,
frankly your chances of getting money are nil.



Besides, I thought we were done "aggrandizing WWII"......((ROTFLMAO)).


I don't think you are running on all cylinders.

You are not very observant.