C-97 Progress Update

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 744

On October 28, we decided to move some engines around the hangar using our recently repaired 1972 Grove Carry Deck Crane. Well, we moved some R-4360's around and all of decided it was time.

So, after cracking the books, gathering equipment, and all the required tools, we put an engine back in the #3 position of the C-97.

The crane handled it well, although a feather touch was required, as not to slam the 10,000lb engine into this extremely rare airplane or surrounding personnel.

Nevertheless, we did it. Another important step in the progress of the -97. It took a while to gather the slings, and other specialized equipment, but we now have a new ability.

I took some pics of the job, both from the operator's cab of the crane (as I was operating it), and from afar. They were taken with my phone, as we did not bring the proper paparazzi for a decent photoset.

I hope you enjoy!

http://www.spiritoffreedom.org/no3engine.html

Sabremech · **Posted:** Mon Dec 08, 2008 9:21 pm

Kevin and crew,
Great work! Show us more. The maintenace junkies need more photos!
David

BigGrey · **Posted:** Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:18 pm

Great job Kevin, thanks for the pics.
I don't know how much experience you have with a hydraulic crane, but if you want some tips on that feather touch just PM me.

Les

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 744

Ah.. I managed a bit. I practiced moving the spares around the hangar before I even attempted to go near the airframe...

Thanks David. Those are all the pics I have, as I was busy hanging the engine....

Nice Sabre shots by the way... Snow and Sabres..interesting!

Taylor Stevenson · **Posted:** Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:20 pm

I cannot wait to see the C-97 and FIFI in formation!!! That'd make a GREAT shot!

Jase · **Posted:** Tue Dec 09, 2008 1:57 pm

Why am I terrified at the thought of KK running a crane?

Lemme know if ya ever need a certified (and certifiable!!) crane operator.

Lastly, CONGRATS to the BAHF crew on a big milestone!!

engguy · **Joined:** Wed Mar 29, 2006 10:45 am **Posts:** 442

Very cool. Would like to see some close up pictures, and how you attached the sling. Lets just hope you don't blow a hose or something on a lift. The damage would be bad.

BigGrey · **Posted:** Tue Dec 09, 2008 5:51 pm

engguy wrote:

Very cool. Would like to see some close up pictures, and how you attached the sling. Lets just hope you don't blow a hose or something on a lift. The damage would be bad.

That is an odd statement to make. :roll:

Les

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 744

We replaced the main hoses on the crane because they were leaking, and gave it a good inspection prior.

Jase, no worries.... I practiced moving engines around first.

Its really interesting how to connect the sling. Boeing made that really simple. I've seen the way H&P did it, and they used a generic sling and the holes in the top of the mount near the attachment bolts to connect the sling.

The Boeing Sling has a crank for left to right adjustment built in, and its main cables hooks and clips to the special nuts on the Power Pack.
It's real simple once you get the picture.

As far as close ups, this is all I have. Like I said, I used my phone to take the pics. If you want closeups, copy them and zoom in. That's all I can do. We didnt bring the appropriate paparazzi for a photo spread.

engguy · **Joined:** Wed Mar 29, 2006 10:45 am **Posts:** 442

So at the rear, the attachment points are the eyes or open area in the top mounts? I would think anything else would damage the tubing for the supports?

Oh and "on a lift" means during one of the lifting sessions.
I know on some cranes there are saftey valves that if a hose breaks it won't drop the load. But other things can still happen that can ruin your day so to say.

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 744

Right. If you do not have the special Boeing Power Pack Sling, you'd need to use the open areas or "eyes" near the top mounting bolts. That's what H&P did. And they did it with what appeared to be an R-3350 sling, rather than the BAC one.

The third attachment point is the propshaft screw on eye in either case. We used the nosecase eye because the ground mount it iwas sitting on did not allow the propshaft eye to be screwed on. That's why the front cable is angled the way it is. If we had used the propshaft eye, the 3 cables would have been straight down.

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 744

Oh. Using the Boeing Sling, the rear cables snake their way down and have eyes on them. They hook onto the large special nuts on each side down low of the engine. The right one even has a tube that is specially curved in order to snake around the generator.

It's in the TM. We didnt understand it at all, until we saw the sling, which we had to search all over the US for, and finally found in Texas.

engguy · **Joined:** Wed Mar 29, 2006 10:45 am **Posts:** 442

Okay so what is fitting into the "eye" of the top engine mount? You wouldn't want to use a steel pin on the steel mount. What to use to pad it?
I guess a strap would work on the mount tube as long as it is wide enough.
If the collars are removed from the root of the prop blades you could also sling with straps at the prop roots couldn't ya? With the two sling blades being horizontal.
You said generator. Some of those QEC's had 2 generators didn't they?
I guess ya don't need that extra weight.

So the Boeing sling does not use the engine mount to mount on then?
Near the ring of the mount?

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 744

Now, we only used the H&P Sling to remove the engine a few years ago, and unfortunately, we returned it along with the "borrowed" engine, which, by now is probably in the smelter. :cry:

.. (A little fortune-telling at the time would have been very helpful.)

It attached through the "Eyes" by means of large shackles..

The Boeing Sling, has two cables in the back. They have large eyes and clips on them. The slip over the special nuts that are part of the mount atttachment at the rear of the engine down low. The clips lock them on.

It only interferes with one generator so it is designed to go around it. It does not interfere with the other.

I don't think I'd attempt to remove or attach an R-4360 power pack with the prop on. The power pack itself weighs 10,000lbs and include a 17foot 43G60 propeller? You are asking for a overweight unwieldy combination. I wouldnt recommend it.

Also, it collars you refer to are the extra "fin" looking outgrowths encased in the black material at base of the prop shaft, we were advised by Paul Gaither of Aviation Propeller that those are not to be removed from the prop because they provide most of the cooling at idle, and if you know anything about the R-4360, cooling is a major issue. I wouldn't f with that if you plan on running one.

engguy · **Joined:** Wed Mar 29, 2006 10:45 am **Posts:** 442

10,000 lbs ? I think it is more like 7,500 with prop.
I could bet some bucks, that with a full prop and the Boeing maintenance stand the total package is under 10,000 lbs, I'm guessing 1500 for the stand. So engine and a full prop would be in the 8k range.
And the idea was to remove collars and be able to strap at that area.
What does the weight and balance show for engine weights?

Gosh how do they fly with all that weight???

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