[Fot] Header primary lengths

[Michael Porter]

Terry Stetler wrote:

>  
>
>     ----- Original Message -----
>     From: Bill Babcock <mailto:BillB at bnj.com>
>     To: Terry Stetler <mailto:tlizzard at msn.com> ; Michael Porter
>     <mailto:portermd at zianet.com>
>     Cc: SHANE Ingate <mailto:hottr6 at hotmail.com> ; fot at autox.team.net
>     <mailto:fot at autox.team.net>
>     Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2007 9:55 PM
>     Subject: RE: [Fot] Header primary lengths
>
>
>     "Big radials had short pipes because the engines rotated."
>
>      
>
>     Only WW1 era rotary engines such as the Gnome Rhone had the
>     cylinders rotating around a fixed crankshaft with the propeller
>     bolted to the block.  A the WW2 radials, such as the Wright
>     Cyclone R2600 and Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasp R2800 were
>     conventional in that the engine block was stationary and the
>     crankshaft rotated inside it. 
>
>     I know I'm picking nits here, but I do love aircraft.
>

And, you're absolutely right, Terry. 

And, further, most aircraft engines, at least the WWII variety, had 
short pipes because of weight (a primary concern for aircraft), and not 
for additional thrust, as some commenters have previously mentioned. If 
thrust were a consideration, the pipes would be angled directly 
rearward, not down, or in all directions, as with radials. 


Cheers.


-- 
Michael D. Porter
Roswell, NM

Never let anyone drive you crazy when you know it's within walking distance....