Engine run-up trailer...

[retroaviation]

Howdy All,
Any chance of anyone having any of the manuals on this type of engine test stand? We just acquired it for the re-engine project for FIFI and could use some more info on it. This thing was built by the Norton Air Force Base in San Bernadino, CA, and will take anything from 4360's on down. As you can see, it's kind of a "fixer-upper" but we're very excited to get it back into shape and hope to be using it soon. We may even set up some engine runs for folks to see during our airshow.

Thanks,
Gary Austin
Crew Chief, B-29/B-24 Squadron
Commemorative Air Force


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[Eric Friedebach]

Is there a model number or data plate somewhere?

[Tim Landers]

That would be an awesome display at any airshow, as well as great teaching tool. Please keep us posted on the progress!

Tim Landers
CAF West Houston Sqdn.

[retroaviation]

Is there a model number or data plate somewhere?

Unfortunately, there's no model number anywhere. The only legible data plate that I could find (so far) simply says "Built by Norton Air Force Base, San Bernadino, CA." There is an area just above that placard that was probably the real data plate at one time, but it was painted on and is no longer even close to readable. If I find anything else that might help y'all help me, I'll be sure to post it.

Thanks,
Gary

[retroaviation]

Gary,

Two thought one you could try to contact the folks at Maxwell AFB they might have some paperwork on the test stand.

The second thought what type of paint did they use to paint over the data plate because if you take some 100ll and combine it with Turptin and paint it on in small dose then you can remove the paint and not effect the stuff under it.

As someone else has said it great eductaional tool.

Cheers
RER

I knew the folks here wouldn't let me down with ideas! I'll give both of those a try.

GA

[Aircraft Mech Paul]

Gary,

That is quite a portable test cell you now have. And I agree....I think it would be a great thing to see at an airshow as a teaching aid and (forgive the silliness) a great "Gee Whiz" kind of thing for folks who don't know much about engines, let alone large sacle radials like the 3350 and 4360.

Paul

[retroaviation]

Gary,

That is quite a portable test cell you now have. And I agree....I think it would be a great thing to see at an airshow as a teaching aid and (forgive the silliness) a great "Gee Whiz" kind of thing for folks who don't know much about engines, let alone large sacle radials like the 3350 and 4360.

Paul

Yeah, we're tossing around a lot of ideas here. One of my guys recently suggested that we offer a B-29 and/or B-24 "training session" to the Warbird junkies out there. This would possibly include sitting in on our flight crew ground schools for our airplanes and would also allow some time out in the hangar to see what it takes to keep these cantakerous old airplanes flying...or at least trying to keep them flying. Now that we have this engine stand, this course would also potentially include participating in running up one of these ol' round engines.

Our thought is that while we certainly intend on using this equipment as a valuable tool, we could also possibly generate some much needed income with this program I've just described.

Do you think anyone would be interested in being a part of that?

GA

[Aircraft Mech Paul]

Gary,

I am assuming that this test stand has spent most if not all of it's life in the great outdoors. I would think that a good sandblasting, paint job and quick "go through" of the instrumentation for accuracy's sake would be the order of the day for this. I know it must be a great addition to the CAF.

Paul

[retroaviation]

Gary,

I am assuming that this test stand has spent most if not all of it's life in the great outdoors. I would think that a good sandblasting, paint job and quick "go through" of the instrumentation for accuracy's sake would be the order of the day for this. I know it must be a great addition to the CAF.

Paul

You bet! I've just been out there starting to take the "loose" items out and taking lots of pictures for my blueprint on how everything goes back together. I am trying to scrounge up enough money to get it sandblasted, and then I'll paint it myself. I'm hoping to put it back as close to original as possible, although we simply won't have the time and funds to restore it completely. But it will definitely be gone through to insure accurate instrumentation and look at least a little better cosmetically.

Gary

[Eric Friedebach]

Our thought is that while we certainly intend on using this equipment as a valuable tool, we could also possibly generate some much needed income with this program I've just described.

Gary, someone contacted me not too long ago that was looking for a 4360 for a ground demo. I’m not sure what he had for a stand, but if you drop me your email address I’ll pass along his contact info. The two of you may want to compare notes.

[Broken-Wrench]

My brother was a welder in the air force and he often fabricated things like that. It was alot simpler to fab it than go thru the proper channels to to alocate money for equipment. You should have seen the mobility grill he fabericated. It looked like GSE equipment but folded out into a grill. The design helped them transport it because it looked like military equipment

[RickH]

HMMM...a -60 that's also a grill.... Push button start,... would you cook with air on or air off ? Plenty of electrical power for the blender , ...can you get a 115volt 400cycle, 3 phase blender? A LOX cart to make the necessary ice to use in the blender. I like it !!

This has definite possibilities !

[Todd Hackbarth]

Gary,

Back in June of 1997, I photographed an apparently identical ex-USAF engine run-up trailer next to a large WWII vintage wooden hangar at the Reading Regional Airport in Pennsylvania. It had a cowled R-3350 mounted on it.

If interested, you might want to contact Russ Strine of the Mid Atlantic Air Museum (maam@maam.org) that is located on the other side of the airport. Allow this trailer may not belong to his organization, he may know something about it and who owns it.

Todd Hackbarth

[retroaviation]

Gary,

Back in June of 1997, I photographed an apparently identical ex-USAF engine run-up trailer next to a large WWII vintage wooden hangar at the Reading Regional Airport in Pennsylvania. It had a cowled R-3350 mounted on it.

If interested, you might want to contact Russ Strine of the Mid Atlantic Air Museum (maam@maam.org) that is located on the other side of the airport. Allow this trailer may not belong to his organization, he may know something about it and who owns it.

Todd Hackbarth

Very interesting! As a matter of fact, my fiance' is a volunteer at the MAAM (you can see her helping put the P-61 together on their website...gotta love that!). Anyway, I will be in Reading next week with Diamond Lil and will certainly discuss that with Russ.

I appreciate the heads up!

Gary

[Todd Hackbarth]

Gary,

Did you find out anything about the ex-USAF engine run-up trailer at Reading, PA? Was it still there and were you able to see it?

Thanks,

Todd