Is this true

I guess I should introduce myself if I'm going to keep asking question. I am a pilot of single engine planes although not too active because of the cost these days. I live in Ohio but am looking to move south soon. Can't stand this cold weather too much longer.

Here is the question. My dad tells a story that my grandfather passed along about a plane that had the prop bolted to the engine block. The crank was mounted to the firewall somehow. The prop was turned by the block rotating around the crank. Seems like a awful lot of weight being thrown around to me. But then I'm a software engineer.

Any ideas on this one?
Rick

[Laserlloyd]

Hi Rick:

I take a stab at this one. It sounds like your describing the rotary engines. If this is the case yes, this was a common engine type used on ww1 planes.



Here is a link to how a rotary engine works.

rotary engine

I hope this answers your question.

Lloyd...

[Jim]

Yes, definitely rotary engines. These were a very common type of aircraft engine during WW I. They actually have some advantages such as the pistons spinning around act as a kind of flywheel. When you rotate a heavy mass you wind up with less vibration and a much smoother power curve. The regular piston engines of the day were so rough that they typically had to have flywheels put on them which made them have lower power to weight ratios than rotary engines. Also, their spinning at a high rate creates a fair amount of air cooling of them. Some pilots really prefered this type of engine for their advantage in manoevering as well. They create a fair amount of torque which allows you to turn your crate much more tightly than you would otherwise be able to do with a regular engine - so long as you turn with the torque. In a dog fight the ability to turn more tightly than your opponent can often mean you wind up on his six rather than him on yours. Rotary engines were very popular on fighter aircraft.

Well I guess grandpa knew what he was talking about. Guess this is one of those designs that couldn't keep up with evolution.

Thanks for the info. I'll pass it on to my dad.