Thursday at Strato-Land...aka Austin Acres

retroaviation · **Posted:** Sun Aug 30, 2009 11:07 am

Rajay wrote:

Gary,
Since the Griffons are no longer an option, just what else do you have in the way of spare engines that you can use on the Stratolina?

It also sounds like you've been back over to Connie's place recently (at least since the nice big post with all of the photos of his place...) Did you happen to remember to get some new photos of the 4th Goose (the OTHER one in his hangar besides the JRF-6B in the "original" British paint scheme) for me?

Don't worry about it if you forgot about that; it's no big deal. I've just been curious about it since it appears to have the McKinnon retractable wingtip float mod and I was wondering what other mods it might have.

Well, I've still got two 4360s available (just traded my third one away), or I could put a couple of 0-200s on it.

Yeah, I go to Connie's place every month or so. There was talk of me doing a little work for him sometime soon, so maybe I oughta go down there this week and holler at him about that. I'll try to remember to ask him about the mods on the other Goose. He's got a memory like a steel trap, so he'll remember every single piece that was put on it.

Gary

Edward Sheetmetalhands · **Joined:** Sat Oct 25, 2008 6:44 am **Posts:** 257

I am thinking a single 4360 behind the fuselage, find some old wings to make an inverted V tail, and you have the world's largest Predator UAV. Anyone want to photochop that one together?

retroaviation · **Posted:** Mon Aug 31, 2009 7:37 am

Edward Sheetmetalhands wrote:

I am thinking a single 4360 behind the fuselage, find some old wings to make an inverted V tail, and you have the world's largest Predator UAV. Anyone want to photochop that one together?

Hmmmm, now there's a thought. I do have a pair of Beech Baron wings here that I didn't know what to do with. That might be something to consider.

Gary

warbird1 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:25 pm **Posts:** 2760

warbird1 wrote:

O.K., gotta ask. So where is the Griffon going, or is that a secret?

Jack Cook wrote:

Ask yourself what wixer utilizes Griffons :idea:

retroaviation wrote:

The Griffon was for a Shackleton. As Jack said, it's going to another WIXer, but I don't know if it's a secret or not, so I'll just leave it up to him to say. It's basically just gonna be used as a spare for an old airplane that he's got, so it was nice to see the engine going to a good home.

There are very few airworthy airplanes that use contra-rotating Griffons these days, in fact, none that I know of that were built that way from the factory. The following airplanes used Griffons, but not necessarily the "baloney slicer" version:

1) Spitfire/Seafire
2) Firefly
3) A couple of one-off racing Mustangs
4) A one off MB5 replica
5) Shackleton

Seeing as how there are no Shackletons airworthy here in the States, it would have to be used for one of the other 4 options. Unless, the engine is going to a static airplane. HHHHmmm, is James in Tucson involved in this?

If not, I say Stonehenge guy in Colorado is getting it for his Seafire.

So, did I win a big, fat, pony?

retroaviation · **Posted:** Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:32 am

Nope. No pony for you. :-)

First, the Mk47 Seafire was indeed built to accept the baloney slicer Griffon. But no, this engine isn't going to them.

Second, just because this engine had the contra rotating crankshafts, it doesn't mean that other components of the engine won't be used to help keep flying airplanes flying, now does it? ;-)

Gary

51fixer · **Posted:** Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:45 am

The BBMF has been using the Mk 58 Shack engines in the Spit Mk19s they operate.
Rolls Royce developed a conversion that modified the front end to accept a normal nosecase and also modified the blower case to fit between the Spit engine bearers.
I believe there is a civil Griffon Spit in the UK that uses this setup as well.
Rich

oz rb fan · **Joined:** Fri Dec 17, 2004 8:33 am **Posts:** 474

as do a couple of firefly's :shock:

including one that will hopefully fly in the near future

Michel Lemieux · **Posted:** Mon Aug 31, 2009 11:55 am

Quote:

you are going to need a periscope and a LOT MORE RUDDER!

How about wings :?:

Or can you do away when you have that HP to weight ratio HEHE

Gary, any chances of seeing new pics from Connie's place ? That was a real treat you gave us last time.

Michel

RMAllnutt · **Posted:** Mon Aug 31, 2009 12:37 pm

Is that Shackleton QEC the same unit that was recently offered for sale in Cyprus, or is this one you've had for a while Gary? Hope the cowlings aren't binned by the end user though... cool stuff! Always loved the shack... and it's a crime that there are no flying examples outside of South Africa any more.

Cheers,
Richard

Speedy · **Posted:** Mon Aug 31, 2009 1:07 pm

warbird1 wrote:

Seeing as how there are no Shackletons airworthy here in the States,

I'm still relatively new to the forum, so this may be obvious to everyone else....but there WAS a Shackleton over this side of the pond a few years ago. I remember it was at the CAF show at Midland. Who's was it? As I recall it wasn't an 'active' airframe, as the Brits had phased all of them out.

Where did it end up?

airnutz · **Posted:** Mon Aug 31, 2009 1:13 pm

Speedy wrote:

Where did it end up?

Went to Pima museum...there's a thread or 2 bout it around here somewhere..

retroaviation · **Posted:** Mon Aug 31, 2009 3:34 pm

Speedy, the folks that owned the Shackleton that was here in Midland (now at Pima) also own a Shackleton in England, that they do periodic engine runs with, but are not allowed to fly it.

RMAllnutt, I've had this QEC for a little while now. It is not the one from Cypress. I've got more Shackleton bits here too, if you just gotta have a piece (or two, or ten) of one for your own collection. ;-)

Gary

Andy in West Oz · **Posted:** Mon Aug 31, 2009 5:56 pm

Wouldn't mind tripping over stuff at your place, Gary.

retroaviation · **Posted:** Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:20 pm

Andy in West Oz wrote:

Wouldn't mind tripping over stuff at your place, Gary.

Swing on by any ol' time. Visitors are welcome, as long as you notify me first. (I tend to not be so friendly with folks who just drive around on my property without permission.......just ask the two knuckleheads that had to deal with me today! :evil:

)

Gary

Andy in West Oz · **Posted:** Mon Aug 31, 2009 7:34 pm

Cheers, Gary, maybe this time next year.

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