Warbird Information Exchange

WIXers, you are hereby invited to provide feedback concerning the following sound test: V-12 vs Round

Today's competition pits the Merlin-engined Avro Lancaster vs the R-3350-powered Boeing B-29. To be fair, I tried to select videos of comparable quality concerning the respective powerplants.

In the interest of objectivity, I recommend that you leave volume settings at identical/close-to-identical settings. If substantial bleeding from eardrum(s) is noticed, swab affected area of ear(s) with a dry, sterile bandage and continue with test.

For reasons of aural comparison, you may wish to play both videos simultaneously, alternately pausing one or the other competitor. For reasons of time management, testers may also advance each video to the point at which all four engines are operating.

You may proceed with comparison testing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNNZRBN786s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obcrX9K66Dw


Feedback desired.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

I love radials but the Lancaster did it for me.

To be honest, the 4 x Merlins beat the radials hands down.

However, my memories of the awesome sound of 4 x Griffons of a Shackleton taking off are forever etched as the most 'Heavenly Music' in my memory banks.

Bazza

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Little Johnny : "When I grow up I want to be a pilot!"

Johnny's Mother : "Don't be silly Dear - you can't do both!"

Bazza I get called baz and we are both from New Zealand so double snap!

New member here; my ears only work best with Merlins. Both excellent engines of course, but Merlins at high power is something we probably all like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufOO0ZqURdk

DAI

Its a throw down hand with 4 Merlins...

Interesting...

The Lancaster is SUCH an icon: Her lines. Her history. Bomber love at first sight.

And yet, I must confess personal disappointment the first time I heard one in person. The rumbling thunder (or perhaps thundering rumble?) I was anticipating was no more impressive aurally than a flight of Mustangs. It...just...sounded...wrong.

But when FIFI cranks, farts, and comes alive, the little hairs on the back of my neck all stand at attention. V's just don't seem to have the same effect on me as round. Whatever shall I do?

FWIW, I've witnessed Shackleton flight as well...most impressive. Another treat was hearing a Globe Air C-97 back in the day, but I couldn't find decent sound quality on youtube.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

While I recognise Dan K's strict terms of reference with regards to the Lancaster v's B29 parameters, and both of us have had the pleasure to witness the sweet music of another Avro stable-mate ...

I feel compelled to add yet another Avro experience, when back in the 60's I was fortunate enough to be loitering on a hard-standing adjacent to the active runway, when a squadron scramble of Vulcans took place very close by.

Not at all by any definition 'sweet music' but certainly 100% attention-grabbing. The thunder was not unlike the 'end of the world' (only way to describe it as technically it probably hasn't quite ended yet).

I suppose they could at a stretch be classed as 'round' engines maybe?

V12's still get my vote though.

Cheers

Baz

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Little Johnny : "When I grow up I want to be a pilot!"

Johnny's Mother : "Don't be silly Dear - you can't do both!"

Is the sound the sound of current B-29, P-47 and P-38s etc different from the originals that had fully operational turbos? Are the planes with disconnected Turbos (as I believe FiFi is) louder?

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Chris Mellor