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

[@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.

Thank you for bringing us Stuff..and taking us home.. Welcome Home my brother.. Superpickle Dco 1/22 4th Inf Div 68/69

[@squirrelman6719]

Thanks for sharing !

[@cranezilla1016]

There were thousands of trained mechanics during WWII

[@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.

[@rev.andyh.1082]

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

[@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!

[@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...

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@mattlombard2919]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@neilmchardy9061]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@rayt3342]

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

[@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!

[@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!

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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...

[@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.

[@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.

[@hoagybob]

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

[@UnderPressurePowerWashingLLc]

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

[@RZ20246]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!!

[@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.

[@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.

[@paoloc2571]

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

[@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.

[@giostisskylas]

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

[@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.

[@MegaGuitarpicker]

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

[@Texaca]

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

[@sski]

Outstanding! Excellent work accompanied by wonderful music.

[@esoWIND]

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

[@marshfield01]

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

[@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.

[@TRT_WEB]

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

[@peteacher52]

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

[@mikearakelian6368]

When one is as passionate about these engines as this; would always have excellent results.i us to work on our R 2000 7M2s everyday...yea they leaked title oil but that brand does; a little TLC keeps all radials running smooth and very reliable all the time! And each one has a little different fuel burn...so what.all are like that,so careful flight planning will see you through. Don't forget to pulled through; or drain lower cylinders before every start...and they'll go on n on....

[@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.

[@jackjanssen3996]

First job on Navy flight line in early 50's. Aircraft. Martin Mauler. Biggest single engine airplane the Navy ever had. MONSTER. 1. Remove cowling. 2. Remove air cooling ducting. 3. Remove spark plugs. 4. Check plug seats OK. 5. Replace with new plugs. 6. Replace air cooling ducts. 7. Start engine, run checks. 8. Replace cowling. Three men, three days.. Learned a lot.

[@valic000]

What a super nice engine. Great job done here!

[@bicivelo]

This man in an artist and genius!!

[@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🎼😍

[@apieceofdirt4681]

Now THAT’S taking pride in your work and hobby! I have no clue about aircraft engineering and wish the writing were in English but regardless I can tell he’s a master!!

[@timmayer8723]

There were bigger radial engines designed , built and tested but never put into service. P&W, the designers of the R-4360 were ready with this engine at the very beginning of the jet and turbine era. Radial engines were at the peak of their development in the late forties. The aircraft industry made the decision to use the tried and true radial engineering package, since the Second World War had finally come to an end, instead of going with the experimental jet/turbine engines coming on line. It was the correct decision for both civilian and military aviation. Both could now turn their aviation talents towards fuselage design, avionics,

[@Koaslice191]

DAMN! What a piece of ART!

[@Bigfurry1975]

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

[@aprenderavivirconluciablan4255]

vivaldi y la restauracion este tipo de motores radiales de mas de 70 años .... esto si es arte pura

[@jackjanssen3996]

My first job in the Navy (Korean War) was to help change the spark plugs in a 4360. It was the perfict start for a for a new world. Never should have left.

[@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.

[@garynorthtruro]

A truly well produced video. Great music too.

[@306champion]

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

[@longshot7601]

What an amazing job at restoration. I could just sit a look at works of art and craftsmanship like this all day. To think that something like this was designed and built before CNC machines and CAD. I can just imagine a Reno guy wondering how he could shoehorn that thing into a Corsair or Sea Fury.

[@arnenelson4495]

Finally the music matched the skill!

[@a1jettacoupe]

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

[@davidbradley3074]

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

[@ronjon7942]

That would keep me in the shop. Nice work

[@donallen5571]

I worked on these engines(HC-97G) when I was in the Air Force back in 62-66. I also worked on R-2000's (HC-54D)and R1300's(HH-19B) That Ol' Corn Cob leaked oil like you wouldn't believe!!

[@marksalot655]

The sound, oh that beautiful sound.

[@daleburrell6273]

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

[@rollyherrera623]

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

[@faustozanetti5096]

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

[@Toms3rdNut]

I shed a tear. It's beautiful.

[@edfjets3936]

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

[@forrestgumpv9049]

No disrespect to Engineers and craftsmen of today, but the Engineers and Craftsmen of the 1940's were Amazing Designers and blazed the trail for the 1950's / 1960's Engineers. It is really hard to grasp the detail in design strength and function of this engine and the minimum tools available apart from shear Brain and Memory Power of the Engineers and Craftsmen who built it.

[@michaelmccarthy4615]

Your possible imminent destruction in war is a serious motivator....

[@Jester123ish]

Ah, yes, eminent destruction was imminent.

[@michaelmccarthy4615]

@@Jester123ish ah yes, my better use of spell check was immenant also

[@sbr058]

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

[@allwinds3786]

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

[@Lumby1]

Beautiful music and engines, thank you, esoWIND!

[@billiondollardan]

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

[@ramo7963]

ceux qui ont dessiner et conçue c'est moteurs etrait vraiment des as de la mécanique un grand respect pour eux !!!

[@chrisblignaut6613]

You are an artist signor!!!

[@skatedd2451]

Mind boggling jigsaw wow that's what you call a motor the ultimate engine

[@GIGABACHI]

AWESOME work ! Great music !

[@etravix]

Beautiful craftsmanship! You're a mechanical artisan.

[@6pot]

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

[@AragonDubs]

Il capo Grazianno! Excellente laboro.

[@lucashinch]

Beautiful. All of it.

[@nigelmitchell351]

A beautiful piece of mid 20th century engineering, but for me just pipped by the complexities of the Bristol Centaurus. Thanks for the post.

[@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?

[@NeonsStyleHD]

Beautiful restoration of this lovely engine for the Stratorcruiser. I fly this the A2A vers of this in FSX and it's a joy to fly but difficut to manage it's complicated systems. I even translated the mid comment lol... nicely done

[@raylocke282]

The Convair B36 had 6 corncob radials .

[@pauldormont4470]

Great video! Great work! Thanks!

[@pietervermeulen6972]

Beautiful - well crafted and presented

[@richardhite1295]

The precision manual milling and manual lathe work to make those individual components is really interesting to think about.

[@timmayer8723]

When the C-97s we flew were bone yarded , the R4360 engines were completely rebuilt to factory specifications and pickeled in steel canisters for long term storage. Many thousands sit in the western deserts of the US awaiting a call to duty which, sadly, will never come. The C-97s are slowly being reduced to scrap

[@ele4853]

Opera d'arte due volte!

[@AntonioBulbarella]

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

[@PaolettoBg]

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

[@stellingbanjodude]

I’ve always been marveled with these engines, how does the oiling system work? How do the bottom cylinders not get full of oil? Are they dry sump, no sump? Arghh

[@topturretgunner]

stellingbanjodude Dry sump. There are oil scavenge pumps that push the oil back to a header tank. Radials were notorious for a problem called hydraulic lock that occurred shortly after shutting down the engine. Oil left in the upper portions of the engine would drain into the lower cylinders and before starting the engine the prop had to be rotated in order to circulate the oil from the lower cylinders. Otherwise the hydraulics could break a piston connecting rod and damage the engine.

[@stellingbanjodude]

topturretgunner I’ve noticed that a lot of times you would see someone rotate the prop before starting, which now makes sense, and the excessive smoke when a radial would start up is because of the oil pooling on the lower cylinders

[@BistroGlicerin3]

Beautiful engine ... nice work 🤘💀

[@timmayer8723]

I have again watched the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel painted to perfection.

[@babimoia]

penso che smontarli sia relativamente facile, ma... a rimontarli come si fa? questi meccanici sono dei geni

[@erwinvigilia6303]

Wow - very nice work! I'd be crapping in my pants testing the R-975 that on such a small stand - it should've been strapped to an M1A2 Abrams hehe. One accidental burp on the throttle and the poor cameraman would be purree'.

[@danzervos7606]

Looks like the cart is pinned to the ground.

[@doogle-gf3fi]

Erwin Vigilia- Does seem like a minimal test stand set-up. Not wearing any eye protection’s a gamble, as well. Not being critical, tho, just observing. Hands down I’d prefer a visit to his shop over any theme park on the planet. This fellow’s an Artist. Thanks for sharing.

[@mikea6977]

Fun stuff this...if you don't mind getting oil everywhere....nice relaxing way to spend time off....I had an opportunity to do this when I flew DHC-4...and the R-2000s.gives one a sense of accomplishment...and assurance that they will be reliable in flight!!!

[@jamesbond9873]

Very cool. Just wondering what to do if you have bolts left over?