View Full Version : What engine is this?
During a recent weather related enforced stopover at MYES went for a walk and found this in a driveway just off the airfield. It had no identification on it at all.
Any idea what it is? (Sorry pics are so poor)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a154/ZFT/IMG_0411.jpg).
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a154/ZFT/IMG_0412.jpg
Tiger_mate
9th Jan 2007, 07:12
It is going to be very difficult to identify this engine based upon those photographs alone. As a betting man I would consider the following: No idea where MYES is, but believe it to be caribbean, possibly Bahamas (US influence). The twin bladed prop suggests a relatively small radial engine as engines go. Therefore my 'Guess the engine' is:
The Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior was an engine widely used in American aircraft starting in the 1930s. It was a scaled-down version of the original R-1340, and the second in the Wasp family. It was a single-row, 9-cylinder air-cooled radial design. Displacement was 985 cubic inches (16.1 liters); bore and stroke were 5-3/16" and 5-3/16".
It was used on numerous light aircraft and has a good reputation for being dependable. Most versions produced 450 hp.
Would its size suggest compatibility with a Stearman / Ag Cat type aircraft?
Sorry. MYES is Staniel Cay, Exuma Islands, Bahamas.
Tried to get a better view of it but wasn't possible.
Whether it was large enough for a Stearman is hard to say.
Tiger_mate
9th Jan 2007, 08:11
This is a similar photo of a Wasp Jr, and it still gets my vote:
http://www.hill.af.mil/museum/photos/wwii/r985.jpg
However I suspect you will never know beyond all doubt.
barit1
9th Jan 2007, 14:11
But can you identify the prop and the engine mount? :8
At the NASM, the Aviation Technology display had a wonderful working cutaway of the Wasp Jr. Not sure if it's still there.
pigboat
9th Jan 2007, 18:12
The propeller is the full-feathering unit, thus I'd guess the engine is off a Beech 18. Counterweight props were mostly used on single engine installations like the Stearman or Beaver.
Tiger_mate
9th Jan 2007, 18:40
I would second the Beech suggestion. The engine appears to be placed rather then dumped. What is the nature of its surroundings? Where any derelict aircraft in the vicinity? or other bits.
http://www.artistic.flyer.co.uk/wasp.jpg
Beech 18 - Good drug dealers aircraft in its day. When caught aircraft gets impounded and decays until useful as a garden ornament!!
I saw a Piper Navajo in Jamaica used as a roadside cafe.
barit1
10th Jan 2007, 00:20
The prop is the Hamilton Standard 22D30 full-feathering "Hydromatic" - It was used on virtually all postwar Beech 18's.
The mount is PROBABLY from a Beech also, but not guaranteed. It could be a Beaver (a few had 22D30's) or any of a dozen other types that used this popular engine.
Garden ornament is indeed correct. Adjacent the engine was also an anchor and what appeared to be a wreckers ball but no other aircraft parts.
The Beech 18 installation does look very, very similar and given this areas dubious history in the 80s and the engines close proximity to the airfield, an impounded aircraft could well have been the source.
tinpis
11th Jan 2007, 01:30
985 pistons make great ashtrays.
barit1
11th Jan 2007, 02:21
I used to make tie-tacs from small compressor blades. :8
forget
11th Jan 2007, 13:59
985 pistons make great ashtrays.
The much improved MkII required a valve head to be dropped at cruise power thereby forming a proper ash tray. This one is actually part of an original DC-3 Long Range Nav. When it happened you were exactly half way there.:eek:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/cumpas/piston.jpg