|
|
Post by agent0archer on Mar 10, 2020 20:24:11 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Herman on Mar 11, 2020 9:08:50 GMT -5
An excellent website. Thank you for sharing.  Herman |
|
|
|
Post by johnhinson on Mar 12, 2020 0:21:57 GMT -5
There's a lot more than just Lufthansa on that site! It seems to cover almost any airline that operated Contellations.
Many thanks for the tip. Much to read and learn there.
John
|
|
|
|
Post by Pixel Pilot on Mar 12, 2020 9:28:05 GMT -5
One of the things they have is a sales brochure from 1946. Under statistics, power plant it states that "Note: Alternative installation of 4 Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engines is possible." Does anyone know if Lockheed ever produced a Connie with the Pratt & Whitney engines? There are no performance specifications in the brochure for the R-2800s.
Ed
|
|
|
|
Post by Tom/CalClassic on Mar 12, 2020 12:26:59 GMT -5
AFAIK, they created a total of one. The old prototype C-69 was fitted with R-2800s, and designated XC-69E. It was eventually sold to Howard Hughes, who flew it as NX25600. He then sold it back to Lockheed who modified it to become the prototype for the stretched L-1049 as NC9700. Sometime after the stretch it was refitted with R-3350s. It was later used to test radomes, etc. for Navy and USAF versions. It was nicknamed "The Beast". It was scrapped at Burbank in 1959.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pixel Pilot on Mar 12, 2020 12:50:37 GMT -5
Thanks Tom for the information. Of course it just brings more questions. I'm wondering what the performance was compared to the Curtis Wrights. Maximum gross weight, top speed, cruising speed, max range, etc. I'm guessing that because they only built one that no airline ever wanted the R-2800s.
Ed
|
|
|
|
Post by Tom/CalClassic on Mar 12, 2020 13:01:52 GMT -5
It was done for the Army Air Force, when it was uncertain if the R-3350 would ever get the bugs out. AFAIK, it was always on an Experimental certificate while fitted with R-2800s (thus the NX designation during Hughes' ownership). After the initial teething pains were worked out for the R-3350, Lockheed decided to stick with the engine, especially since they had raised the MTOW substantially and R-2800s would make it very underpowered. That's not to say that TWA and PAA weren't concerned about the engine - they were. But after Lockheed made their decision they had little choice other to cancel their orders, which they did not.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pixel Pilot on Mar 13, 2020 9:08:59 GMT -5
Thank you Tom very much for your explanation. You are a wealth of knowledge sir.
Ed
|
|
