Bald Eagle Aviation

[hahnej]

That last shot really shows how large the radiators are on the Griffon Spitfires. They look huge and draggy.

[PeterA]

That last shot really shows how large the radiators are on the Griffon Spitfires. They look huge and draggy.

Draggy?

The Spitfire was one of the first of the big piston fighters to design the radiator ducting to maximise the 'Meredith Effect' ...and gain thrust.

PeterA

[bdk]

Was a full size Griffon Spitfire tested in a wind tunnel to quantify the improvement? The Mustang installation looks far better executed.

Still love Spitfires though!

[Lynn Allen]

You liking your new camera? The pictures look great...

[PeterA]

Was a full size Griffon Spitfire tested in a wind tunnel to quantify the improvement? The Mustang installation looks far better executed.

Still love Spitfires though!

I don't recall ever seeing a Spitfire in a full size wind tunnel.

Certainly the radiator design was tested on a section of wing in a small tunnel and I have a report somewhere.

It is a 1934 design.

PeterA

[51fixer]

It is a 1934 design.

PeterA

Something I often curse about.
Along with having to constantly try to remember Port and Starboard.

[51fixer]

Now for something totally Different-
It was a Texan Day here in the NE.

[Lynn Allen]

Has he adjusted to his new brakes?

[Jim Beasley]

Whatever the design they don't seem to slow it down. It's fast as he!! and the biggest issue with the radiators is that they are too efficient. If it's below 70f I'm lucky to get 85c on the coolant, and on a colder day with some speed it will drop to 60 pretty fast, even at higher power.

Was a full size Griffon Spitfire tested in a wind tunnel to quantify the improvement? The Mustang installation looks far better executed.

Still love Spitfires though!

I don't recall ever seeing a Spitfire in a full size wind tunnel.

Certainly the radiator design was tested on a section of wing in a small tunnel and I have a report somewhere.

It is a 1934 design.

PeterA

[hahnej]

Can anybody share what the story is with the helo in the background?

[51fixer]

Can anybody share what the story is with the helo in the background?

Sikorsky has the Keystone Helo base across the road.
Civilian S-92s and S-76s are assembled and test flown from there.

[51fixer]

Been busy with a recurring radiator issue with BE.
We have an older Radiator sitting on the shelf for many years that I dragged down to take a look at.
After a pressure check in a tub of water I disassembled it to inspect the interior condition.
Here are some shots of the radiator.
I'm trying this from my iPad for the fist time to try and post pics. Well see how it goes.

Radiator before.

Top portion of the rad. Large tube is for connection to main coolant system. It is 2 1/2" dia, the smaller one is the after cooler system upper connection and is 1 1/4" dia.

Lower header tank. Castings bolt on for connecting coolant line to the bottom on the radiator. All of these photos show the fwd side of the rad.

Inside of the lower header after removal. The 2sections of the radiator are the main core, the rear 2/3rds or so and the front section for the intercooler system. These sections can be seen separated by the row of bolt holes in the middle.

Looking at the core again the 2 sections for the different systems can be seen. The density of the 2 core are different. The main system has more tubes per inch than the after cooler.

Removing one of the sides. The alum panels on each side enclose the airflow and the flanges on the front and rear create a sealing surface to butt against the doghouse and exit duct. The header castings top and bottom also are sealing surfaces to the airframe. The structure of the radiator comes from steel rods that are threaded on both ends. These secure the top to the bottom on all 4 sides along the bolting flanges.

[TAdan]

Cool update Rich I never thought I'd get to see a Mustang radiator dissasembled. Will you be rebuilding this one for BE or did you just take it apart for comparison?

[davidbray]

Hey Rich, are the cores offset? Or are they different widths?

[Lynn Allen]

Thanks for the post and pictures. I see you are coming to the way of the apple....