Absolutely! And it was the associated mechanical complexity (thousands
of wearing, precision machined parts and seals) and maintenance
intensity (multiple of man-hours per flight hour) of the Turbo
Compounded design that ended the era of multi-row radials, about the
same time free turbine powerplants linked to propellors ("turboprops")
emerged.
In a pre-fuel injection, pre-electronic fuel control era, the multi-row
TC engines were an amazing combination of power to weight ratio, power
recovery/fuel efficiency and packaging/cooling designs.
- Bob Mann
Jerry Krakauer wrote:
>The last iteration of the Pratt & Whitney turbo-compound radials used in the
>DC7s and Super Connies were 4 row 36 cylinder monsters. Just think, with
>dual ignition that's 288 spark plugs to change per aircraft. BTW, the
>turbo-compound concept was the last effort to get the most power out of
>piston aircraft engines. After exiting the turbo supercharger the exhaust
>turned one more turbine that was geared to the back of the crankshaft adding
>more torque.
>
>Jerry Krakauer
>SRL311 00099
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