Challenge
)
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,578
Likes: 0
From: Nottingham UK
Well Graeme for a quick punt, it was a very good punt as it is the North American Savage AJ-1
You have control.
The date of its design inception was a time (late 1940s) where the US Navy was faced with procuring the nascent jet engine, while still having to rely upon the simple yet well proven reciprocating engine. Jets at this time were unreliable and used large quantities of fuel; however, once they were developed, they produced performance that no piston engine could ever provide. A compromise was made to include in the Savage two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 piston engines, with a large turbocharger fitted inside each engine nacelle. This combination made it possible for the R-2800 engines to produce rated power (2,500 hp/1,864 kW) up to 42,000 ft (12,802 m) altitude. An Allison J33 turbojet was fitted in the rear fuselage. Interestingly, both engine types used the same fuel. The piston-turbojet arrangement was intended to give added power on take-off and extra dash speed while in combat. At high altitude, this "boxy" looking (but aerodynamically very clean) airplane was remarkably fast, reaching more than 460 mph (740 km/h), when the jets of that era were not very much faster.
You have control.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: dorset
With the lack of "warning jet intake" and the fact it is not a turbo prop, could this simply be a piston engine? Secondly, the trim markings look simply 'civilian'. Lastly. Is that a landing gear I spy in the back ground and if so, does it suggest more than one engine?! Hope I haven't tried to winkle too many clues!
