B-17 Wright/Cyclone R1820 overview (Engine #4 on Chuckie the B-17)

[@renagade187]

It was an honor to work on this aircraft with James. Although it was only for a year, he will be missed greatly. A wonderful teacher and mentor, as well as a great friend.

[@ojofelixnm3608]

Very nice presentation by a man who knows what he it talking about. He knows everything about that engine that there is to know and that is evident from his remarks. Wish I could have been there to take it all in. I could spend days and weeks looking at those wonderful old war birds. Thanks for the show sir. My regards.

[@jesseashley6482]

Wow! That guy knows his shit when it comes to the 17 engine!

[@4vepvik781]

May the gent rest in peace servicing the B17s in the sky!!..Let's hope He imparted some of His knowledge to apprentices along the way😊.

[@stevetaylor8698]

Sorry to hear this. RIP.

[@mjsaaeaed]

Amazing, this gentleman takes you through this presentation with such an ease. I find his instruction very informative, I mean, this is history. I don't think there are many people left in our country that can explain the way he does. Thank you kindly Sir

[@claiborneeastjr4129]

It would have been an honor to spend several hours with this gentleman going over the workings of the R1820 radial engine. What a wealth of knowledge he was.

[@5695q]

Wow, just learned more than I ever knew about the engine and turbo installation and how they worked on the WW2 aircraft. The 1820 and GE turbo were used on a lot of different aircraft.

[@peteacher52]

That was an exceptionally informative video. Mr Kelly would have made a superb teacher/lecturer in his fields of expertise.

[@astonishing-a]

This is an amazing video, the guy explains things so clearly and easily, I would kill for hours more of these videos! Thanks for the upload!

[@death2pc]

100% PLUS exceptionally knowledgeable individual. There are little words, rather a loud hush as it were when one is witness to someone of such exceptionalism.

[@Snezze]

Finally a technical video of a real bomber engine. Thanks for posting

[@paulgardner3636]

Fantastic! I would love to hear more from this gentleman!

[@NikkkitoNippongo]

I feel great respect for this gentleman. I wish I had his experience and knowledge, now , in short time I started to learn about turbo and supercharged engines, still in use today in many cars, that technology back then was ahead of his time, thanks for posting this video.

[@steveh156]

Don't forget the water-methanol injection, used in the P47 Thunderbolt and today in 1,000 hp street cars

[@beboboymann3823]

This gentleman knows his stuff. This is an amazing narrative that for me was very informative.

[@M81_WOODLAND]

Guys like this (in the video) are a dying breed. I wish I could thank the guy in this video for doing this. Such a great general description of the workings of a B17 engine. I'll bet most of the kids out there today that hot rod Hondas and Toyotas and such, don't realize the turbo and supercharging technology that helps powers those cars originated in the 1930's with the design of these engines demonstrated in this video.

[@MarttiSuomivuori]

Well spoken, Jake.

[@Vsshooter]

My uncle was a flight line mechanic in North Africa and Sicily. He told me that invariably that if a plane was equipped with Pratt and Whitney engines and got combat damage to the engine that the resulting oil fire would be very difficult to put out and odds are the plane would be lost. However, if the plane was equipped with Wright Cyclone engines and that engine suffered combat damage that that plane would more than likely return due to a lack of an engine oil fire. The difference between these two engines is the lubrication system. The Pratt and Whitney had an oil pump to circulate the oil thru the engine thus feeding a fire whereas the Wright Cyclone was splash lubricated thus not prone to feeding a fire. My uncle told me that he had seen several engines come back with combat damage and still running even with 2 or 3 cylinder heads knocked off. He did not see the same with the Pratt and Whitney.

[@garypeatling7927]

Love to see pictures of damaged engine running .Had a ford cargo 6 drive into garage with two conrods sticking out of block driver said it lost bit of power but seamed ok

[@hotrodray6802]

Blown off heads do not affect balance like broken rods do.

[@hotrodray6802]

Shooter... Splash lubricated ??! Lol. Check it out. Lol.

[@GGigabiteM]

@@hotrodray6802 I laughed hard at the suggestion of the Wright Cyclone being splash lubricated, it's not a lawnmower engine. Both the Wasp and Cyclone engines used pressurized dry sump lubrication. Due to the nature of a radial engine having cylinders around a central crank case, it's not possible to have any appreciable quantity of oil in the crank case, it must be removed as fast as it's pumped in or you're going to have severe issues. The bottom cylinders would effectively become oil pumps that rob tons of horsepower and make the engine severely unbalanced. Pratt&Whitney engines, especially the R2800 and R4360 were massive complex beasts with so many oil passages that fires were pretty much unavoidable. What exacerbated fires in these engines was the fact that the crank case was a magnesium alloy, once it caught on fire, it's physically impossible to extinguish it without special chemicals because it effectively becomes its own oxidizer.

[@shakin-it-boss]

Fascinating! Once again...simple may not equal better but durability.

[@tremayne3]

Great man Mr. Kelly. He knew that engine like the palm of his hand. He looks a bit like Robert Keith, the actor from The Wild One movie.

[@s0nnyburnett]

So much learned in a couple minutes. Building these models as a kid, learning about turbo's on car and all this time I had no idea what that funny shape was on the bottom of the engine when I was painting it as a kid. Fascinating, way more advanced than I figured for the day and a shame to see so many impressive machine wasted being shot down.

[@bobvines00]

Thank you for recording & posting this short explanation/lecture. The Navy used these engines in at least the C-1 and the S-2. The Naval aircraft overhaul Depot I work at (until I retire in January 2020) was still rebuilding these engines into the mid-'80s! It was fun to stand behind an S-2 running up its engines on the ramp. ;) However, I never really knew much about how the engines worked, just overhauling some of the components. For a while, I also had a scrapped carburetor, a piston, and a sodium-filled valve. I wish I hadn't given them away. :( The fuel line going into the carburetor was impressively large, well over an inch (25.4mm) in diameter. They had to really suck down the avgas!

[@ovationpdh]

Wonderful video, thanks for all that detail Mr. Kelley.

[@mrGovnoff]

Great video, especially the part about the turbo supercharger. Thanks for sharing.

[@rgsrobertg]

I got to fly on the Nine-O-Nine B-17 when it was in Omaha in July of 2009. It was one of the greatest thrills of my life.

[@faainspector9699]

Outstanding presentation from this gentleman and thankyou sir..

[@pitomnik]

Best explanation ever about a plane engine functioning. What about more videos in the same line? Best regards from Brazil.

[@timbeaumont4292]

What a pity he didn’t keep going! Just wonderful.

[@FSAUDIOGUY]

Two thumbs down? I guess they hate learning! Enjoyed listening to the man very much, TY for the upload :)

[@stevebognar4357]

Many Wright Cyclone engines were built in South Bend Indiana by Studebaker in a massive factory built in 1942. It still stands today and is still used. Also Bendix Products made the injection carburator in South Bend. That plant is still used but is now owned by Honeywell.

[@Lensman864]

Fascinating! Sally-B (Duxford) often overflies my house and I've been onboard it so this was a good explanation.

[@danpatterson6937]

No replacement for experience; thank you for posting.

[@belchnasty]

I hope that this is one in a line of similar videos. Very well done and a pleasure to listen to someone who is so knowledgeable. Please keep it up!!

[@blancolirio]

outstanding!

[@rickey5353]

One of the most instructional videos on a radial engine's operation. Thanks.

[@badmarine]

The UH-34 USMC helicopter we flew in Vietnam had the same engine. Last piston powered helicopter. I flew 252 combat missions as a crew chief/gunner. Loved that old bird.

[@johanvangelderen6715]

All this was done 40 years after tge first aircraft flew, and 80 years ago as im writing this. Very impressive !

[@Creeperboy099]

Always wondered how exactly the turbos on these work and especially how it can be controlled on demand

[@waterheaterservices]

Educational, fun and fascinating. Job well done!

[@joemueller4738]

It’s so amazing to me of how smart some people were (are) to develop these engines so many years ago,it makes me feel like a moron because I I still don’t really comprehend how everything works in that engine.

[@mmichaeldonavon]

Very informative overview of the R-1820. I'm on this site, as I was wondering what engine the B-17 used. Had some experience working with the R-2800's (not as an engine man, but as as Instrument/Avionics type). Love the Radials, although if you are around them for 15 minutes, you generally get a lot of grease and oil on yourself! The R-2800's used BMEP to establish takeoff power - wonder what the indicating system is used by these engines - maybe torque oil press. or similar? N-6395T

[@mikea6977]

Love any info on radial engine s....would appreciate a little more volume however.great

[@rexoliver7780]

Superb “tour” of that 1820 engine!

[@graemewilliams1308]

We had those Cyclones in our DC 3's. (R1820 GR 202A) Maybe not quite a reliable as the 1830 but cheaper to maintain & overhaul. As a retired mechanic & FE myself I can tell you that Mr Kelly knew his stuff & was spot on with his technical knowledge.

[@aa7eqham]

That would be the US Navy R4D8 or the Super DC3 flown be Capitol Airlines. Douglas kept one, N30000, based at Santa Monica in the 1950s. The last time I saw 30000 it was privately owned and parked at the private aviation section of Tuscon airport about 1995.

[@mugofbrown6234]

Thanks, now I know what those bits are on my Airfix kit. I like to know these things because I'm a geek.

[@wrnchhead76]

I really like this guy's style. None of the all-too-common douchiness that can come with mechanical things. Do more vids!

[@tonyfredo2086]

Thank you for sharing, God Bless.

[@gr5ubtn]

How were the engines numbered on the B17? My Dad was a navigator on a B17 Shot down over Germany. The information I have says number 3 engine was hit, but still went on to deliver payload over target before going down. The Greatest Generation.

[@hawkeyepoole]

From left to right 1 2 3 4

[@5695q]

The Sikorsky H-19 and H-34 had the engine at an angle but horizontal might be a bit much but possible.

[@ad356]

fascinating. really really interesting. i love these old birds and would like to learn more. my generation is responsible to keep these planes in the air.

[@mtorres152]

Very good video, please do more.

[@derekobidowski3301]

this plane is now owned by the Erickson Aircraft collection was repainted to Madras Maiden and as of 2019 its been repainted to Ye Olde Pub. the B-17 is on loan to the Liberty Foundation.

[@tomkelly6216]

He’s a walking technical manual on this engine.!

[@mikeedgerton3503]

Yes, very good need more videos like this.

[@BAZZAROU812]

Pay attention kids.. This gentleman is a guru..

[@corvette724]

he is an outstanding specialist. respekt

[@Warbird-Aviation]

Thank you a lot for this information!!!

[@edwinthomas618]

Wealth of knowledge right there

[@billh1337]

So these bombers had 36 cylinders total! Im assuming around 1 Liter displacement for each. That's amazing!

[@steveh156]

AND 2 spark plugs per cylinder!!

[@Polypropellor]

Do they still make these engines?

[@tonyswhirl]

Outstanding - thanks

[@charlesferebee263]

OUTSTANDING. ! 🇺🇸🏆

[@ricksadler797]

Great video thank you

[@derekobidowski5784]

this B-17 has been renamed Madras Maiden owned by the Erickson aircraft collection this year its on loan to the Liberty Foundation touring the US

[@curb]

Great video!!!!

[@billbright1755]

That bucket wheel is very much similar to turbojet engine construction.

[@TheShockwaveDragon]

Some day science will invent flash learning technology -- the ability to scan a person's memories for technical information like this, record it, and organize it into neat packages for upload into other minds. It's a damn shame such technology does not yet exist. I can hardly imagine the amount of technical information about this one subject that man possessed, and how much was lost with his passing.

[@davidhall8874]

John Doe yes, but the computers will rule the world and we will be stuck in the matrix

[@chrisj197438]

John Doe Only the elite will have access to such technology thus allowing them to live forever

[@divisioneight]

Fascinating! Are radial engines sensitive to angle when operating like any other engine with a pil pan and sump? Can they for example operate horizontally if need be?

[@aa7eqham]

A radial, or any aircraft engine, will operate at any angle. Radials have been successfully used in tanks mounted horizontally.

[@4vepvik781]

It would be safe to say that these engines were dry sumped.That is to say no oil pan but an oil tank with pressure fed oil by pump to lubricate engine and ancillaries!.

[@SaschaC160]

That's how an engine should look like, in radials I trust :) gimme back the good 'ol days!

[@Warbird-Aviation]

Thank you very much!!!!

[@steak85]

"Hey everyone, we're doing an interview over here today. Do you think you could all drop spanners and generally make a huge noise in the background all day? Thanks heaps lads."

[@hawkeyepoole]

Yup. Back in the early days of my time at the museum I got no love. Sometimes the birds in the hangar would drown out the interview....

[@davem5333]

It is a canned audio track being played by the mechanics to make the boss think they are working. I have one. I tell wife I am going out to the garage to work on the car. Put the disk on and either take a nap or duck out for a few.

[@Treetop64]

He was turning it the correct way, Einstein. The leading edge of the bucket wheel blades face the direction from which the exhaust gases are coming from.

[@mjonezzzz1]

I'm curious...what would the noise levels be when testing one of these at high power? I used to stand with a fire extinguisher during these tests at Whiting Field.

[@hawkeyepoole]

Mark Jones Depends on where you stand. Not so bad out front, but very loud and windy behind. Remember that the exhaust is going through a turbosupercharger and this acts like a muffler to some degree

[@MarttiSuomivuori]

They did not have decibels those days, so no danger.

[@commentatron]

@@hawkeyepoole There's a YT video about starting the B-17 engines, starring Arthur Kennedy. He says the fire extinguisher crew stood behind the prop to prevent accidents caused by getting excited and running toward the propeller. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIDPZoyme7t6j7c

[@hawkeyepoole]

@@commentatron That's interesting and makes sense. At our ramp and with our procedures we stand out front. The engine would be stopped if it really caught fire before we would approach. Our ramp is very old and has a lot of loose FOD and it can be dangerous to stand behind due to blowing gravel and sand.

[@FunnyPrankLaughs]

i live 25 mile from the hangar where the VFM is.

[@danr5105]

I was wanting more explanation about this dual engine pressurization system (he mentioned it twice, once by saying "both buckets are 11") Is there a mechanically driven supercharger within the engine and further back the totally exhaust gas driven turbocharger? I am putting some magnetos from these engines on ebay for a friend. These magnetos easily weigh 17-20lbs, not a light weight item. Many things on an aircraft are as light as possible (look over some exhaust systems,very thin metal used) but with some items it appears weight was not a consideration at all. Many aircraft undergo engine upgrades as different models come off the line. I ask if this was true with the B-17? After the war it seems the military put the B-17 to use more than the B-24 (some early AWACS type B-17 aircraft). It seems the B-24 and its slab sided fuselage was more suited to work in the civilian market.

[@hawkeyepoole]

Dan R yes, the engine has a gear driven supercharger and an exhaust driven turbosupercharger. it can maintain sea level pressure intake air at 30,000 feet if I recall correctly. there are some excellent videos that explain their operation as well.

[@mrobinson4210]

When he said "both are 11 inches" he meant the exhaust turbine housing and compressor (intake turbine) are both 11 inches in diameter. Both make up the turbo-supercharger, what we just call a 'turbo' today. In addition there was a gear driven supercharger on the engine itself to further compress the intake air.

[@ALANTONY54]

WOW...!!! MAN AND MACHINE GREAT...!!!!

[@MarttiSuomivuori]

Now if you try really hard you might be able not to understand how this thing works. That guy with the love and the dedication to his machine represents a vanishing species. Thanks to people like him we do not need to know any of this, just complain about the service.

[@billolgaau]

All except one of the DC-3's I flew had R1820 Engines (The other R1830 Pratts) 1,600 hrs & lord knows how much oil we used. :o) A passenger noticed oil on one of the wings & we told the Hostie to tell us if it stopped. (22 Imp Gal per Engine on board)

[@billolgaau]

@Hoy Sum What I meant was of all the DC3's I flew I only flew one with Pratt's R1830's. BTW they use less oil.

[@yours_sincerely48]

@@billolgaau Sorry my English no good, you mean to tell us that the Curtis R1820 consume less Oil?

[@1964cowdog]

Great video. Was/is the turbo supercharger non effective above 22k' and so making the ceiling for the B17 the same?

[@henrycomputer1403]

Yes. I believe he said the plane started losing power at 27000 ft. I would think it could Co tinue climbing at a slower rate at less than 100 percent power

[@chrisj197438]

Sad he passed away. It’s even more sad that nobody shadowed him for years to gain some of his knowledge

[@hawkeyepoole]

Actually he was shadowed for at least a decade by several people who carry on at least some of his vast knowledge.

[@chrisj197438]

Franklin Poole I’m glad to hear that

[@Mr549er]

thankx for this Godbless :-)

[@hawkeyepoole]

Not for sixty years or so. They are still made under license in Europe

[@RedneckSpaceman]

For the longest time, I thought that the B17 had 2-Row Engines!! Imagine if indeed she had twin-rows!! But then she would probably burn almost twice the fuel.

[@ckelley63]

What a Machine!!

[@BooteyMasta]

I have the authentic 1942 manuals for these engines as well as the "Flight Manual" and "Erection Manual & Maintenance manuals " for the "B-17" if anyone needs some specific info on it :)

[@bobvines00]

Have you scanned them and put them online? That would be worth gold to restorers. And we enthusiasts would be able to download, study, and learn much from them.

[@billbright1755]

B-17 out of control three o’clock low. Yeah, I see ‘em, come on you guys get out of that plane. There’s one, he came out of the bomb bay,, 30,000 feet, and death is waiting right down there. The bravery of those flying men, in the arms of the Angels.

[@MagnetOnlyMotors]

Sad thing is how many of these were made, just to be destroyed long before it’s user life, 😢😢😢.

[@andrewjmcgee]

hats off!

[@fordfalcon1605]

That man is a walking dictionary

[@eeros4192]

Great!!!

[@alberte.3059]

One lucky 30 mm canon shot could bring this whole thing down...

[@LECOYOTE86]

rien compris mes dommage que on le voie pas volé moi qui et fan de b-17 =/

[@pscparamesh3154]

PISTON POWER

[@irish89055]

tell the guy with the hammer to take a break... sheezz Nice video otherwise..

[@boulder89984]

Who disliked??? That's so wrong

[@commentatron]

Anti-war mongers.