Post-rebuild test run of a Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone radial engine.

Patrick Smart, co-founder of the Historic Aero Engine group, is test running his rebuilt Wright Cyclone R3350 radial.
It has been a four year quest to rebuild this engine and design and fabricate a dedicated trailer to safely run it. The engine was previously installed on a Lockheed Constellation 5T-TAF c/n 4618, it was one of two engines recovered for restoration.
HAE is a Facebook group of aero engine enthusiasts (see link below). The engine owners can display these engines at public events to inspire an interest in our aero engineering heritage, for visitors young and old.
The engine is being test run on a farm (without neighbours!), in readiness for displaying at public events. Check our Facebook page for the public event calendar.
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Basic engine details: 18 cylinder radial in two banks of 9. Displacement of 3,348 in3 (54.86 litre) supercharged, with three turbine recovery units. Develops 3,250hp at 2,900rpm at sea level for 5 minutes, or 2,700hp at 2,600rpm at sea level at max continuous power.
Also appearing in the video is another HAE member, Pete Irving.
contact: [e-mail]
/ historicaeroengines
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The Historic Aero Engine group comprises aero engine enthusiasts from a variety of engineering and technical backgrounds, who share a common interest in researching, restoring, and preserving our aero engine heritage. Some of the engines are restored to ground running condition, and when invited, can display these at public events as a means of celebrating our heritage and inspiring the next generation of young engineers.
#radial #engineering #aircraft #usaf #learning #entertainment #technology

[@TexDrinkwater]

Big radials are fascinating to me. Thanks for sharing! That grass on the left side of the trailer is never going to recover from this. 😉

[@danyf3116]

I could ALMOST smell the fumes!!!! lol As a retired military mechanic, this type of videos are always a blast to watch for me. Thanks.

[@adamw.8579]

The heart of famous Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation and many others in working shape. This engine is masterpiece of engineering in own time.

[@Carstuff111]

Dang I need to hear one of these beasts in person!!! What a gorgeous piece of history!

[@semperfidelis8386]

how cool it must be to own such a piece of history

[@pz2233]

Awesome! Love the sound of the power recovery turbines

[@ATomRileyA]

Amazing engine, thanks for the video.

[@petersipp5247]

Love this engine. Love too no metriq foreign jibberish was not used to build them.

[@tomkay8880]

Terrific rebuild. I enjoy seeing these WW2 engines come to life. Question, how do you pull the prop through, to ensure that there's no oil lock in the lower cylinders ? Wouldn't that be difficult with short prop blades ? Thanks, Tom.

[@HistoricAeroEngines]

Pulling through the prop takes two of three operators. It is done first before being run. Patrick is considering a hand cranking device so he can perform the pull-through by himself.

[@ackack612]

You thought you had it all...then you saw this! The sound, the smell... Whoa doggies .

[@dennisford2000]

Been nice to have a tachomometer

[@HistoricAeroEngines]

Max speed during this test run was 2,200rpm.

[@dennisford2000]

@@HistoricAeroEngines what gauges do you watch on the console? I assume you have some switch board and such

[@HistoricAeroEngines]

There is a brief view of the control deck in this video, and better views of Patrick's control deck in other videos where he is running his Bristol Hercules. RPM, boost, head temps, oil pressure are key instruments. Others include fuel and oil temp, as well as switches for ignition, pumps and ancillary controls. Levers for throttle, mixture, propeller pitch.

[@siyz250]

Very cool indeed. Great to see teams like you keeping the best engines alive and able to be seen and heard by those that probably never have before. Was wondering what the wining noise was after shutdown? Are the Turbo turbines still connected on this one, or something else that runs down on 3350s? Also what model engine is she? Si, Christchurch, NZ.

[@HistoricAeroEngines]

There are three Power Recovery Turbines (PRTs) that you can hear spooling down after shutdown. The engine is a Curtiss - Wright R3350 972TC18DA3.

[@RaggyAl1971]

Is that an outer wing panel from a HP Hastings in the background?

[@patrickibex]

@@RaggyAl1971 Yes they are, ready to ship to Rescue57 in Canada

[@briansilcox5720]

With PRTs.

[@goatflieg]

It must be far more difficult to pull the engine through with the shortened prop prior to starting to prevent hydraulic lock. How do you manage it?

[@HistoricAeroEngines]

It can be be done with 2 or three people, but Patrick intends to make a extension handle so turning can be done single-handed.👍

[@goatflieg]

@@HistoricAeroEngines Thanks for the reply. Radial engines are cool; I have a Wright Cyclone 7 R-1300 in my hangar, complete with prop, that came off of a T-28A. It was given to me by the Yankee Air Museum. Still wondering what to do with it... might put on an ultralight. ;)

[@HistoricAeroEngines]

Sounds like you need to join our Facebook group. That's where aero engine enthusiasts hang out, ask questions, find solutions, etc.

[@goatflieg]

@@HistoricAeroEngines Done! Or I should say, request form submitted.

[@HistoricAeroEngines]

.. and joined. Welcome to the group.

[@dennisford2000]

Clutch temp?