Turbo-jet origin

[Jean C.]

My error, that's Col. Sansing, not Lt. Col. *NM*

[John H.]

Re: WHAT....

The GM division that built WWII aircraft was called "Eastern Aircraft"; also included Wilmington, Linden, and Newark, Delaware, which later became the beginnings of the "B-O-P Assembly Division", which even later became GMAD, the GM Assembly Division, with 26 assembly plants.

[John H.]

Re: WHAT....Add-On

Also, many folks aren't aware that Tonawanda built the 2,000hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800 that powered the Corsair, Thunderbolt, and numerous other WWII combat aircraft. Alex Mair, who was Chevrolet's Director of Engineering in the 60's, got his start at Tonawanda on this program in 1943.

[Dick W.]

Re: WHAT....Add-On

If some of the older members here remember, in the mid '50's and on into the '60's the automobile stylist had a fixation with the airplane. Look at the wings. Look at some of Mitchel's later designs. It was vogue to use aviation terms. Ram-jet, MoPar's use of the *** Flite transmissions

[John G.]

Re: We have a Winner

For years Bob Hoover was a regular air show performer at the Reno Air Races, which are held each September. Hoover always put on quite a show. He was simply a magician in the Aero Commander! .. One unforgettable signature 'stunt' that Hoover did was to come in just above the runway, at ground level, and perform a loop - ENGINES OFF!! .. Folks held their breath with that one! .. Hoover also flew the Evergreen P-51 Mustang.

Hoover stayed in the game as long as he could. Age and the FAA finally caught up with Bob and his medical certification was pulled. I believe a heart condition may have been the reason. Hoover lobbied the FAA for a medical waiver so that he could continue to perform at air shows. I don't believe it was granted - not exactly sure of this, though. I believe this was about 5-6 years ago, at this point in time.

There was an incident at the Reno Air Races where Hoover, flying chase (safety pilot) for an uncoming Unlimited race, was taxiing out from the ramp in the Evergreen P-51, I think it was. Of all things, while taxiing, Hoover ran the Mustang's prop into a chase truck that was parked on the ramp! .. Folks on the ground who were close by and could see what was about to happen tried to wave Hoover off but it was too late. The long nose of the P-51, on the ground, obstructed Hoover's view ahead. The chase truck had been parked on the ramp and was waiting for Scott Hammack's jet dragster car to finish his run, which was performing at the time of the accident. Hoover, after he got out of the Mustang, said something like, "that's a hell of a place to park a truck"! ..

The awesome sound those big Packard Merlin engines make when they're cranking out the big horsepower is like no other. The big radial engines that make big power have a sound all their own, too.

Pistons, propellers, things mechanical.........it's quite a spectacle to see those highly modified Unlimited class (gold) WW II warbirds, capable of reaching speeds of over 500 mph (5000 ft. density altitude) around the race course, go roaring on by! .. Modern day performance like that could only be dreamed of in the 1940's .. Piston engine development, at least for piston powered aircraft engines of the era, reached a pinnacle during the war years. The British had the lock on the inline Merlin engine design while the Americans were ahead in radial engine development.

[Duke W.]

Interesting...

...didn't know that. I think there are a lot of R-2800s still flying and will probably do so for some time to come. It is probably the equivalent of the SBC in the aircraft world - rugged, reliable, and powerful - a real workhorse.

The Midway Museum in San Diego has a sectioned R-2800 on display Excellent museum, BTW. A "must see" if you get to SD.

Duke

[Duke W.]

Re: WHAT....Add-On

IIRC Mitchell had a particular affection for the P-38.

Duke