As someone said a few days ago, you can only get a limited number of
overhauls out of those old cylinders. Radials are nice, but won't be around
much longer, particularly in large sizes.
Jim Nichols
Tullahoma, TN USA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Trask" <christrask@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Olympus Camera Discussion" <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: "Olympus Camera Discussion" <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2011 3:37 PM
Subject: Re: [OM] IMG: An Unusual Airplane
> >
>> While evaluating my first Leica lens, an Elmar 50/3.5 from 1946, I came
>> across this Air Tractor company-owned Sky Truck airplane which appeared
>> to be fitted out with flight test gear in the rear cockpit. Developed
>> from a large agricultural aircraft, the AT-802U has been used for
>> firefighting and for close air support in developing countries. It is
>> a BIG airplane.
>>
>
> Nice. Looks like it has a PT-6 engine, which is a strange contraption
> in itself. It's mounted backwards with the intake in the rear. It does
> not
> have a "real" turboshaft. There's one turbine section for the accessories
> and to drive the compressor, and a separate section to drive the propeller
> without a gearbox. When you start it up, you can hold the propeller
> stationary. The Ayers Thrush uses them, as well as lots of commuter
> planes.
> A very popular and reliable engine.
>
> Interstingly, another aircraft that was converted to firefighting many
> years ago was the Northrop YC-125A Raider, which was used very briefly in
> Viet Nam before being turned over for fire jumper duty. Now, can you name
> four (yes, four) other trimotors using radial engines? Three are obvious,
> the fourth is rarer than the YC-125A. Only one remains.
>
> Chris
>
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>
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