CAPFlyer wrote:
One of the common misconceptions about both the R3350 and R4630 was that they were unreliable. That was true early on of both engines, however once the bugs got worked out and they were put in commercial service (instead of high wear military combat operations) they became extremely reliable. As Pratt and Curtiss got a handle on the (then) advanced metallurgy required to make the engines last, they made upgrades and the engines became workhorses. Once it was understood how to properly maintain them, they became rock solid engines. Once we get into the mid-1950s, both engines gave regular 1500+ hour TBO service in airline service. When the change to 100LL came into effect, power settings were adjusted to make allowances for the lower knocking resistance of the fuel and the engines kept trucking. We saw significant numbers of DC-7s and C-97s operating into the mid-1990s because of those changes. But the R2800 was built in such numbers to support such a wide variety of airframes, that it won out simply due to volume. In fact, you can legally get 4 different models of R2800 from the same core engine, so it's possible to do things like convert a Corsair to the R2800-CB3 without much paperwork, or take a Convair 240/340/440 or Douglas DC-6 from a two-speed supercharged CA-18 to single-speed supercharger equipped CB-16. It's the same core, you just change what's attached to it to get the different versions during the build-up.
Also, Joe T.'s T.20 was the one that crashed a couple years ago with Nelson Ezell in the pilot's seat when the engine siezed. Unless I missed something, that airplane was a total loss and his current Fury, "Eagle's Wings", (which debuted at Reno this year) is a different airframe built up by Sanders.
3350s run in low power applications do tend to last longer. Still there were many Lockheed Connies that landed with 3 engines when they were in commercial use. Still, there have been a lot of 3350 failures in recent years, many in Sea Furies. That was one of the reason's the Sanders converted Argonaut to the R2800. The list of Sea Furies that had 3350s fail is pretty long, yes Nelson Ezell was injured after a 3350 failed, and the previous owner before Joe T was also killed by the same plane. Argonaut, Spirit of Texas, Blind Mans Bluff/Critical Mass, and September Fury have all eaten their 3350s (yes they were race engines on BMB and September Fury. I wouldn't say a 3350 is a good race engine.) There was a run of failed 3350s about 10 years ago that were on non race birds as well. The ones I named off were just off the top of my head, but I'm pretty sure there are more. Personally I'd say a R2800 is a much better engine.
Joe Ts new bird was originally a project started by Chuck Greenhill. It was converted to a two seat, then the R2800 was added. I believe it was an ex Iraqi Sea Fury. (Its in the registry but there aren't any pics of it.) I believe this is it.
http://www.sandersaeronautics.com/resto ... roject.asp that said, it might be partly this one.
http://www.sandersaeronautics.com/resto ... -meier.aspbut Im pretty sure this one went to Meier Motors. There was a lot of talk as to which bird "On Eagles Wings" actually is. (It left me entirely confused)
Will