Radials
I'll be behind a radial engine this Sunday, a 550hp Pratt & Whitney nine cylinders radial engine, and possibly also the 1400 horses of a T28 Trojan. Alongside will be a P51 Mustang for filming purposes.
I've watched the startup procedure - they 'hydraulicking' is a major concern with aircraft radials too, with the next one being oil supply.
Some owners have made pre-oilers for their engines where oil is pumped through an external device which is often fitted with a heater to get the temp up.
Once strapped into the aircraft a long time is spent getting the oil up to temperature before takeoff.
The sound of a Pratt & Whitney radial if you haven't heard it close up is wonderful, something like an unruly unmuffled flathead V8, but even better.
The Trojan has ejector exhausts and sounds much harsher.
We're in the process of making an audio CD of all this and more which wee hope to release in the near future if anyone is interested.
It is professionally recorded, away from the annoying public address systems of airshows too.
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