Most distinctive and charismatic engine sound?
1.Cessna C337,
2. Vulcan XH558 at Shuttleworth in 2015,
3. Spitfire doing a lazy aerobatic routine on a summers afternoon in England,
4. Nimrod doing circuits at Lossiemouth,
5. Bell 412 low level over Kakadu on still dry season morning,
6. Piaggio P166 departing Essendon a winters morning.
2. Vulcan XH558 at Shuttleworth in 2015,
3. Spitfire doing a lazy aerobatic routine on a summers afternoon in England,
4. Nimrod doing circuits at Lossiemouth,
5. Bell 412 low level over Kakadu on still dry season morning,
6. Piaggio P166 departing Essendon a winters morning.
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I the early ‘60’s, the Lightning’s of the RAF aerobatic team at Farnborough lighting the burners. Not so much a sound as an earthquake. It hurt your chest. No ‘elf and safety’ in sight. I do remember the sound of the V1’s over London and the way the conversations stopped when the sound stopped. Then the explosion and conversations resumed.
The Canadian F104 team were good for plenty of howling as they kept everyone busy with their excellent displays.
In terms of distinctive, the Allison's on a Herk haven't been mentioned. Can be heard miles off when taxying.
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The best engine sound ever as heard from the cockpit had to be that of four Merlins coming on song during take-off. The pilot opened up to enough power to accelerate up to a speed at which he could control the aircraft’s direction by rudder use only and then called for full power. The Flight Engineer pushed the throttle levers forwards differentially at a rate that gave the best acceleration but leading with numbers 1 and 2 in order to control the inherent swing to port. Engine sound increased in volume and pitch until at 3000 rpm and +12 boost all the engines came together in a combined steady roar. When the undercarriage and flaps were up and you were climbing away you could feel the noise and stress levels reduce as you came back to 2850 +9.
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That's very memory-evoking, Lancman. When I was in the ATC in the 1950s I was lucky enough to fly in the Lincolns at Upwood. It was rare to be alongside the pilot (if not, my favourite spots were in the front turret "bay window", or even in the rear turret). But I agree the sound was sweet indeed.
Laurence
Laurence
Lancman
The best engine sound ever as heard from the cockpit had to be that of four Merlins coming on song during take-off.
The best engine sound ever as heard from the cockpit had to be that of four Merlins coming on song during take-off.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Has the Gipsy been mentioned yet? Majors in the Tiger and Chippy (ah, the sound of a Stampe being gently aerobatted over the North Downs a few winters ago..), Sixes in the Rapide, Queens in the Dove and Heron... lovely!
As many have said above - a Merlin (Spitfire etc great, Balliol at full chat incredible), two Merlins (Mosquito - beautiful), 4 or more Merlins together (wonderful) but best of all 4 Griffons on the Shackleton at max power and water meth engaged (80" of boost) - so long as you're outside not inside.
However, most memorable the sound of a Voodoo passing overhead and reducing power - almost frightening in its noise.
However, most memorable the sound of a Voodoo passing overhead and reducing power - almost frightening in its noise.
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If you happen to have a copy of the first series of “The Crown” you can see and hear 18 Shackletons in a rather raggedy formation at the start of episode 7. Some extra aircraft and Windsor Castle have been magicked in but it was actually filmed as the formation flew down The Mall and over Buckingham Palace on the 5th of June 1952. The sound is good.
As a sprog, the DC 6s in full song climbing out of Adelaide to clear the hills near home, early morning light on the flashing blades, to me was a knock out.
At Exeter in ‘63 was equaled or bettered by two target towing Mosquitoes back from sorties with Vampires, tucked in tight as, came boring low down the runway. How would you describe the 4 Merlins music...orchestral?
As one they split and broke as two , sweeping up as part for the pitch and break.
Superb, sublime , and I got dust in my eyes. That, I have never forgotten.
At Exeter in ‘63 was equaled or bettered by two target towing Mosquitoes back from sorties with Vampires, tucked in tight as, came boring low down the runway. How would you describe the 4 Merlins music...orchestral?
As one they split and broke as two , sweeping up as part for the pitch and break.
Superb, sublime , and I got dust in my eyes. That, I have never forgotten.
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(Non-Pilot disclaimer)
Of the aircraft on which I've flown, the most impressive engine sound was on a KLM 767. I can't be sure whether it was a 767-300 but I'd imagine it was - was in about 2009. Thing is, I believe they can have either GE or Pratt engines. Not sure which one it was. But, yeah... KLM 767
Really incredibly loud and produced that 'saw-like' sound at high thrust settings that I love so much.
Of the aircraft on which I've flown, the most impressive engine sound was on a KLM 767. I can't be sure whether it was a 767-300 but I'd imagine it was - was in about 2009. Thing is, I believe they can have either GE or Pratt engines. Not sure which one it was. But, yeah... KLM 767
Really incredibly loud and produced that 'saw-like' sound at high thrust settings that I love so much.
That would be Gipsy Major.
Treadigraph mentioned the Gipsys earlier and the two Gipsy Sixes in the Rapide do have a lovely smooth purr to them but despite my defence af all things DH, I'm not sure that distinctive and charismatic applies.
Treadigraph mentioned the Gipsys earlier and the two Gipsy Sixes in the Rapide do have a lovely smooth purr to them but despite my defence af all things DH, I'm not sure that distinctive and charismatic applies.
(Non-Pilot disclaimer)
Of the aircraft on which I've flown, the most impressive engine sound was on a KLM 767. I can't be sure whether it was a 767-300 but I'd imagine it was - was in about 2009. Thing is, I believe they can have either GE or Pratt engines. Not sure which one it was. But, yeah... KLM 767 Really incredibly loud and produced that 'saw-like' sound at high thrust settings that I love so much.
Of the aircraft on which I've flown, the most impressive engine sound was on a KLM 767. I can't be sure whether it was a 767-300 but I'd imagine it was - was in about 2009. Thing is, I believe they can have either GE or Pratt engines. Not sure which one it was. But, yeah... KLM 767
Really incredibly loud and produced that 'saw-like' sound at high thrust settings that I love so much.The ILFC KLM 767-300 where powered by General Electric CF6 B6F.
