Enlighten me

[Mudge]

For the 3 of you who may not know what this is...It's the front end of a Sukhoi.
Would someone be kind enough to enlighten me as to what that "saw-blade" lookin' thingy behind the prop is? Just as a wild guess, I surmised that it might have something to do with adjusting the air flow through the engine but I've been wrong before. (I think it was in 1953 ).





Please be gentle when you make me look ... DUH

Mudge the curious

[Robbie Stuart]

I am told those are "cooling gills" that control air flow through the engine cowling to regulate the cylinder temp to the most desirable setting. They act much in the same way as cowl flaps do on your typical radial engine installation.
Robbie

[TimAPNY]

I was reading that the Fw-190s had them also. Because of how tightly the colling fitted around the engine they were required to force cooling air over the engine. They turned much faster than the prop but I don't remember how much faster.

Of course what I read or the way I remember what I read could be off base.

Tim

[Ollie]

They are simply shutters to restrict the airflow to the engine in winter. Most Yaks and all the Nanchangs have them too.

The Fw 190 had a geared fan behind the propeller to enhance the cooling of the engine.

[Mudge]

Geez...you mean I was RIGHT. That's ONE in a row.

Mudge the appreciative

[RickH]

Congrats Mudge ! Although I'll wager you have been wrong since 1953. For actual dates and exact times please see Mrs. Mudge !

[Paul Krumrei]

Wow you were around in 1953?

I feel so young.

[Mudge]

Yes, you whippersnapper, I was around in 1953. As a matter of fact, that's the year I graduated from high school. The future Mrs. Mudge was 1 year old.

Go ahead....I can handle it.

Mudge the cradle robber

[Paul Krumrei]

LOL!!!

Actually, I hate to say this, but that is the year, my mother was born.

So, yes, I am a young whippersnapper

But at 35, with 5 kids and a Desert Storm Veteran, I feel like I was born in 1923.

[Brett]

Here is a photo of a Nanchang with it's mouth open, so that you can see the whole set-up.



Cheers,

Brett

[Don Martin]

Mudge,
On my old Toro Lawnmower(1963) that would be the thing you wrap the starter rope around! I think it'll work on a Sukhoi, too!