Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major and Continental R- 975 restoration

solo per passione

[@rev.andyh.1082]

Any man who successfully restores such a machine shouldn’t ever have to buy his own drinks. Cheers, good sir!

[@hoost3056]

You can tell this guy is a master. The amount of detail in all the assemblies, the way that the engine started and ran just shows that he is a genius at his craft. Fantastic video.

[@timmayer8723]

This guy takes the job of being a skilled engine mechanic to an unheard of level. I flew C-97 four engine transports during the Viet name war. We crossed the pacific more times than I care to remember. The four P&W R 4360 engines never missed a single beat. Their deep throated roar and cheery red ring exhaust during the 11 hour night flight gave all crew members a sense of security as we passed Check Point Charley which is the half way point between the California coast and the Hawaiian Island. We never had to return to base even after thousands of flights. Major Clarence Mayer ret.

[@sharpsdoublerifle1439]

Thank you for your service. My father flew in the C-97 during the 50's many times oversees. Yes, the stories are true for those that do not know. The crew gave out wax to plug your ears, and there were always people that chewed it.

[@richardaanderson7559]

I worked on the 4360 in early 50s while in the Air Force. they were on the C97 transports for MATS they called it back then. Didn't lose any in the Pacific hauling men and cargo to Japan.

[@squirrelman6719]

Thanks for sharing !

[@cranezilla1016]

There were thousands of trained mechanics during WWII

[@jamesanderton344]

tim mayer did you have to adjust cowl flaps during flight to regulate temperatures? Guess there was a flight engineer aboard in those days....

[@robertbowman3406]

Sir, You are in a class by yourself. Anyone who can re-assemble a 4360 that looks like this and put it into running condition has got class. One has to know what he is doing. Totally outstanding for sure.

[@mikemoore9757]

When I was in the Air Force "back in the day", I was around a lot of those P&W R4360's and I can attest that to restore one of those monsters is no small undertaking! Very nice job, gentleman. May your projects live a long time so that future generations can see some real art work! Bravo!

[@JackDavis]

My dad was a mechanic on these engines in the USAF from 1953-1957. His term in the service was at the tail end of the Korean war. He repaired, overhauled, and maintained these engines for the B-36 Peacemaker. Our family is very proud of him for this was (and still is) the most complex reciprocating piston engine ever produced. 4:22 Translation: The Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major was the largest and most powerful aviation star engine ever mass-produced. This engine represented the pinnacle of the development of piston engine technology, or as they are called today alternative, before the advent of jet engines and turboprop engines drastically reduced their adoption in the civil and military aeronautical market.

[@Rickster5176]

As an A&P myself I can tell you that this technician is a professional of the highest order. These powerplants are so complex that there are very few people around with the experience and knowledge to overhaul them like this. I am very impressed.

[@apieceofdirt4681]

Rich Eaton I know I’m probably going to sound dumb but wasn’t the size of these engines a durability issue?? I know nothing about aircraft engineering at all but these engines seem extremely complex and the men who were tasked with working on these beasts were limited. Is there any truth to that??

[@michaelmccarthy4615]

@@apieceofdirt4681 physically large engines are usually very durable. They almost have to be. Heavy components and cost dictates the best engineering possible. Think trucks, locomotives, and ships. They have to be tough.

[@philgiglio7922]

@...it still needed. lot of matinence. Time between rebuilds was low compared to jet engines, ne of the reasons jet gained in popularity.

[@rev.andyh.1082]

@fifty years They had plenty of reliability issues (especially when compared to modern turbines). They were prone to overheating and also prone to severe carb ice. TBO was low, even by WW2 radial engine standards. In fact, the B-36 bomber (which used 6 of these engines) was required to have 6 trained mechanics assigned to each individual B-36. That’s one mechanic for each one of these engines in the SAC’s bomber inventory. That’s what it took to keep these things running. Granted, a lot of the issues plaguing engine reliability were somewhat particular to the supercharged pusher prop design of the B-36 - the Lockheed super Connie, for instance, had fewer issues using this engine; however, to call it “very reliable” is a bit of a stretch. One of my good friends and former neighbor was a flight engineer in WW2, retiring from TWA sometime in the late 50’s. During his career he crewed the b26, b24 and b29 in missions over both Europe and Japan; and (as a civilian) the iconic red & white TWA Super Connie. He use to say that “after babysitting four [of these engines] every day as flight engineer, babysitting my own four children was easy (by comparison).”

[@mikearakelian6368]

Can learn a lot from someone like this...if you like radial a/c engines...

[@87Wayne]

This engine is undoubtedly the Pinnacle of reciprocating engines for aircraft. This is a masterful restoration perfectly done. The Music was great also! Thanks for the upload.

[@paoloc2571]

Un'opera d'arte ricomposta da un grande artista! Grazie e complimenti!

[@mattsta1964]

Designed with pencils and drawing boards and slide rules. No calculators or computers. No fancy CAD systems. Quite amazing pieces of engineering. I have a real passion for radial engines too

[@RZ20246]

Complimenti... Per qualcosa di incredibile, o meglio quasi impossibile! Poche persone al mondo ne sono capaci 👏👏👏🥇

[@rayt3342]

Amazing! Thank you for restoring these pieces of history and sharing your passion! The Continental sounds soooo Sweet!

[@neilmchardy9061]

These things were made without the help of cnc simply by hand and skill. Magnificent engineering.

[@sski]

Outstanding! Excellent work accompanied by wonderful music.

[@scuddrunner1]

My dad was a pilot who flew 4 airplanes with these engines. The B-36, AC-119, C-124 and the WB-50. Nice video!

[@hoagybob]

Thanks for documenting the amazing craftsmanship rebuilding this highly complex piston engine.

[@fronerbr2738]

This 4360 is a marvel of engineering, and know that it was designed at a time that did not even have computers.

[@jimmaguire6343]

And accompanying CNCs

[@rev.andyh.1082]

Jim Maguire how our fathers built such incredible machines without the CNC’s I take for granted today is truly mind blowing.

[@christopherhughes8402]

DAMN! I thought I was doing well when I rebuilt an old BMW motorcycle engine by myself. Then there are ACTUALLY skilled people. I bow to your skill level Sir!

[@jamest.5001]

I was just thinking how much of a pain it would be to assemble one of these engines! Amazing parts count!

[@rearspeaker6364]

looking at that, I am surprised that we won a war!!

[@trickcyclists]

Fabulous, absolutely fabulous. Maximum respect to that man. What a daunting prospect, to face starting on the old rust bucket of a job.. and see it through, properly, to completion and actually running the beast. A brilliant job. Thank you for posting and showing this to us.

[@kenthawkins2418]

One of my all time favourites,( along w/ it's "smaller" brother, the R2800, and of course, the "Merlin"). There's no sense in arguing which sounds better, which one contributed the most in history, etc.. Thank God He gave us engineers and manufacturing to produce them, 'cause we needed all of 'em. It never ceases to amaze me how creative you get when someone's shooting at you. Engineers were/are forced to be very creative!

[@backpackerthrulife8497]

A masterpiece. My father had control of these as a plot of the B-50 , C119, and C-124, and told what a thrill it was to push the throttles all the way forward at takeoff.

[@crobulari2328]

Work of ART. Assembled by an ARTIST.

[@slimchancetoo]

Designed and machined by geniuses. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@crobulari2328]

Sure was. However whilst the Americans were struggling to produce these complicated radials, we in the UK got into turbojets designed by Frank Whittle and we gave the Americans the drawings so they could make them. All the complication of the radials were gone almost overnight although Willy Messerschmidt beat us all into the air with the first true turbo jet engine. With reciprocating piston engines like these radials. the sleeve valve piston engine proves a better design. Better thermal efficiency for a start. Still a work of art though. Amazing.

[@Maxum97SeaDoo91]

There's just nothing like the sound of a Radial Engine to stir the Soul!

[@timmayer8723]

william phillips I flew as first officer during the Viet Nam war in the C-97 srtatocruiser. It had four of these R-4360 masterpieces of mechanical engineering

[@mel63613]

Ever heard of the "music of the Merlin?

[@mel63613]

See below.

[@philgiglio7922]

The drone of flying engines is a song so wild and free...it captures time and seasons if it gets through to you.

[@artysanmobile]

That is exactly how I feel about Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

[@maverickthebastard]

Fantastic, you sir are one fine mechanic, very well done!!

[@GIGABACHI]

AWESOME work ! Great music !

[@Koaslice191]

DAMN! What a piece of ART!

[@mattlombard2919]

Fantastic! So much love is poured into restoration of a vintage engine.

[@paoloviti6156]

Sorry if I am writing so late but I am very impressed with the high quality workmanship this fellow has done on the two magnificent engines especially on the very complicated Prat and Whitney engine! Great job!

[@Texaca]

looks like a Mechanical piece of Art... Incredible engineering, and restoration. Great Job!

[@bicivelo]

This man in an artist and genius!!

[@Lumby1]

Beautiful music and engines, thank you, esoWIND!

[@daveb7663]

The A&P school I attended in the 80's had a running R-985 in a test cell. I remember you needed 3 hands to start it - one on the inertial starter, one on the mag switch, and another operating the primer pump. I LOVED running that engine! I was impressed by the power output, and nothing else sounds like a radial with that wide open exhaust.

[@a1jettacoupe]

Very nice work love the attention to detail! Very intensive build of that Wasp Major!

[@PaolettoBg]

BELLISSIMO......MUSICA PER LE MIE ORECHIE

[@MegaGuitarpicker]

It is one thing to rebuild one of these engines and a much bigger thing to restore one! Amazing workmanship!

[@faustozanetti5096]

ottimo lavoro,complimenti!!!!!! un lavoro veramente pulito!!

[@esoWIND]

Thank you very much for the compliments! Soon I will put another video with new works online.

[@mikemoore9757]

Although the P&W R4360's were a masterpiece of engineering, they were extremely labor intensive. The best thing to happen to my unit was to get C 130's with turboprop engines instead of recips. It reduced our engine maintainence by a significant amount. I really loved the sounds on start ups, but we were not there for the enjoyment. We had more serious matters to address.

[@mikearakelian6368]

Don't like that? Then go fix bikes then...

[@dustyroads834]

Wow. What an engineering masterpiece. Can you imagine the hours of machining it took to build one of these ?

[@mikearakelian6368]

Have to love to do this kinda work and a shop tools.

[@jackshit4379]

What's also amazing is this was designed before help from computers.pure mechanical engineering genius.

[@kubanerskubaneros6042]

Потому что думали головой, а не жопой

[@Jester123ish]

Which appears to translate to "because they thought with their heads, not their asses" LOL.

[@A_Man_In_His_Van]

The human brain is the most powerful computer in the world. I just wish more people would use it.

[@valic000]

What a super nice engine. Great job done here!

[@Toms3rdNut]

I shed a tear. It's beautiful.

[@peteacher52]

Both engines superbly restored; probably better than when they were new. Congratulations! Pratt & Whitney company should be well pleased with your work.

[@UnderPressurePowerWashingLLc]

I've rebuilt many engines with high Quality work, this is nice as it gets also.

[@g.doornail8352]

It´s a great thing to preserve these Engine-Dinosours for future generations. Such engines will never been built. Music fits to the esthetic of these Engines. Thank you!

[@goinghomesomeday1]

Brilliant video - those engines are an engineering work of art.

[@moeshouse575]

i saw one at a museum. and of course i HAD to look at the carburetor. i all most fell over. a real work of art it is.

[@rollyherrera623]

Amazing rebuild to an artistic approach!! BUENISSIMO!!!

[@jamesb.9155]

Nice to hear how reliable they were. I am amazed when I go to the local air museum in McMinnville Oregon and view the cut away 4360 wasp engine as it turns with an electric motor. It is a complex marvel of piston engine technology with its 28 cylinder wrap around design!

[@Thunderstixx77]

Welcome home. I rode in Huey's, C-130's and a few other planes during my hitch in 74-77. I am no heroe, but I truly served in the company of heroes... All of our NCO's were Vietnam Veterans and it was an honor to serve with them.

[@makekazzoasd]

fantastici! complimenti!!

[@306champion]

They are a piece of art, turbines etc will never have the appeal of a real motor. I also dips me lid to the one responsible for playing Vivaldi's Four Seasons for the soundtrack, it was such a lovely change from the usual head banging noise heard here.

[@slimchancetoo]

You sure said a mouthful there matey. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@robertkerr3059]

one persons Lycoming T-55 is another person P&W 985... cheers!

[@medic8931]

Robert Kerr I

[@bassmith448bassist5]

Well said sir!!!!!

[@johnritchie4801]

Well said sir

[@marksalot655]

The sound, oh that beautiful sound.

[@pietervermeulen6972]

Beautiful - well crafted and presented

[@giostisskylas]

A real work of art executed by a real artist. Fitting to the fantastic 'Four Seasons' by Antonio Vivaldi ... perfect!

[@daleburrell6273]

I saw one of these engines on display years ago...that's one HELL of a power plant!!!

[@6pot]

Amazing work!! im glad i found this vid, greetings from Brazil.

[@Masternater1000]

Bravo!

[@tetras2000]

Great work !!!!! Congratulations !

[@AntonioBulbarella]

Complimenti un ottimo lavoro, da levarsi tanto di cappello!! 👍👍👍

[@billblue58]

Beautiful ! wonderful work !

[@ronjon7942]

That would keep me in the shop. Nice work

[@etravix]

Beautiful craftsmanship! You're a mechanical artisan.

[@BistroGlicerin3]

Beautiful engine ... nice work 🤘💀

[@Bigfurry1975]

Radial engines are a special breed of bad-ass! The R 4360 especially.

[@chrisblignaut6613]

You are an artist signor!!!

[@victorcontreras9138]

Such a beautiful video presentation! The symphony music that accompanied the viewing reminded me of: a musical masterpiece coupled with an engineering masterpiece⚠️ I hold both of them dear to my heart🎼😍

[@samshumate8866]

Worked on the Wasp 4360s that powered the RB-50s in our photo mapping squadron stationed at West Palm Beach, Florida in the 1950s. A weather squadron there also had a couple of WB-50s (hurricane hunters). The B-50 was a rebuilt B-29. The engines with the under slung air intakes were the main give always.

[@edfjets3936]

Bravo Bravo Bravo Job well done and yes loved Antonio Vivaldi's the 4 Season" Danza Pastorale Allegro" as well .

[@arnenelson4495]

Finally the music matched the skill!

[@kevinsavas7173]

Beautiful work.

[@allwinds3786]

Thanks for letting us hear the "little" one run. How about that monster!

[@TRT_WEB]

questo non è un motore ma un opera d'arte.....come la musica in sottofondo ,bravissimi

[@hectorromero4619]

Excelente trabajo de restauración... !!!

[@garynorthtruro]

A truly well produced video. Great music too.

[@306champion]

+Gary Doss You got that right Gary, a pleasure to hear & watch

[@pietervermeulen6972]

Beautiful presented and crafted

[@richardgalli7262]

Beautiful work

[@pauldormont4470]

Great video! Great work! Thanks!

[@billiondollardan]

Wow I have never seen anything like this. It is incredible

[@Maxum97SeaDoo91]

Thanks for this video, Fantastic job on the rebuild. Nice to see some TLC for a fine piece of engineering! The 4360 is right up there with the F1 engine from the Saturn V as far as engineering marvels IMHO.

[@captaincrunch72]

Not sure if you are still around or alive, but you and I have the exact same first and last name.. cheers brother. Not many of us around !!!!!!!!!!!!! I cringe when I have to sign my name as there are too many i's and l's..lol

[@lucashinch]

Beautiful. All of it.

[@AragonDubs]

Il capo Grazianno! Excellente laboro.

[@TheAverageFisherman99]

holy cow! awesome work!!!

[@juanasanelli6831]

Impresionante trabajo y exelente filmacion Buona fortuna!

[@davidbradley3074]

You have a job and a skill that every person that can fly, wishes for during a good nights dream!

[@russbilzing5348]

Molto grazie!

[@carlbyron7367]

as An a&p mechanic during nam war I repaired and ran up many 4360s.we weren't allowed to do major teardown only jugs and Magneto's carbs etc take them out of shipping containers and prep them..no major Tear down that was Depot job.removed and replaced many of them..we had c_124s.very complex engine.loved running all four of them.

[@turbocompound]

Wow, perfectly done..........

[@sbr058]

affascinante. sono contento di avere avuto il modo di conoscere l'autore di persona.

[@enderson1331]

Trabalho perfeito , excelente ! Parabéns !!!!!!

[@rksshiningstar]

Work of an art

[@BoilerBloodline]

This is awesome!

[@timmayer8723]

Update on the P&W R-4360. Radial engine. -- thousands of them are stored in steel containers at various aircraft bone yards in the south west US. Some are tired old engines and some were '0' timed and 'pickled' with cosmoline, a black syrup type of rust and corrosion preventive chemical, before being entombed in these steel caskets. Each has full documentation. There is 0 need for these fine old work horses. At cruising alt of 8000 ft & cruising rpm of 2500-2650 RPM They could use 100 gallons of 115/145 octane fuel per hour under heavy loads and head winds. There was a balls to the wall throttle setting called WEP, War Emergency Power which brought the turbo supercharger on line at full force of around 50 psi,fed a 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water directly into the cylinder heads and jumped the RPM up to 3000 or a little above. The shaft horse power would jump up 500-700 or more for a total of 3500 to 3700 HP. This setting was only good for five minutes and called for a complete rebuild of the engine even if it didn't grenade while in flight.

[@onazram1]

wow..!

[@russg1801]

OK, if there are all these zero-hour motors lying around, why did this one have to be restored?

[@graemewilliams1308]

Yeah, the WLA Harleys in grease paper are buried right next to them

[@gregchamberlain8519]

the reason is if you have ever work on one of these or the R-3350 compound its the fun and Experience to see an old Recip come to life thru your hard work. Cheers Greg

[@zoesdada8923]

Wow.

[@coc7711]

i can only say GREAT RESTORATION,buti wonder how could this engine be so tough enough to handle another mega firing load. does it have any corrosion inside,or crack inside of the aluminum crankcase?

[@arthurmario5996]

What a beautiful beast!

[@kevinbrooks6265]

that is art at it's best,working art!

[@stephengates7601]

Simply amazing

[@CapeCodCNC]

work of art!

[@marshfield01]

Designer: Which side do we put cylinders on? Engineer: How about all of them?