Radial piston engine oil leaks, DC-4 thru DC-7 and Constellations
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MarkerInbound -
Lower grade fuel was approved in some cases, but you had to operate at reduced power.
Lower grade fuel was approved in some cases, but you had to operate at reduced power.
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The Super DC-3s had disks from Douglas, I guess it wouldn't be too hard to get an STC.
You can't really tell from this picture, however, I never thought I'd need a picture of the brakes on the DC-3.
By the way, we didn't fly it that much and I had a mechanic (engineer) that just loved working on the old gal. He kept the oil leaks to a minimum. We ran the engines at least once a week and flew it once a month, even if it was just around the pattern. Fortunately the owner understood that we couldn't let it sit around and let me fly it when we needed to. It was fun to take to local airshows in the summer.
Sadly she is sitting all but abandon at some airport in California. The last picture of her that was sent to me she was looking in rather poor condition.
Last edited by con-pilot; 6th Mar 2009 at 18:03. Reason: Wasn't paying attention.
Goodyear disc brakes (Part No 9540385 
) were originally fitted to British European Airways Dakota 3s (or more correctly, Pionairs) around 1955 and most British registered Daks have them as standard.
I'm a mine of useless information...
) were originally fitted to British European Airways Dakota 3s (or more correctly, Pionairs) around 1955 and most British registered Daks have them as standard.I'm a mine of useless information...
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Here is a link to some lovely photos of DC-3s with what looks to me like disc (disk?) brakes.
http://www.michaelprophet.com/VVC-airport.html
Exmek
http://www.michaelprophet.com/VVC-airport.html
Exmek
I used to park a DC-3 in about that same spot, facing south so the UPS truck could back up to us! The Convair brakes had 3 pads, the Douglas DC-3S brakes had 4. I've seen those things glowing cherry red some nights.
SteveF, I think aviation is just one big trivia contest.
SteveF, I think aviation is just one big trivia contest.
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DC3 Brakes
"Seen those things glowing cherry red some nights". What used you use the old girl for, "circuit racing"? Or maybe you used to land in a tennis court!
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Well that just proves that I did burn my fingers on something pretty hot during my DC-3 walkabouts as a kid.
Below is one or other of the two DC-3s in question behind the lucky pilots that flew it (top pic). Wheel spats can be seen. HK-1503 w/o in 2004, HK-1505 fate unknown to me.
Is draining fuel from the wings (via a valve or something seem to remember) to fill a cigarette lighter common practice? Seen it done.
photo date early - mid 60s , Coveńas
Below is one or other of the two DC-3s in question behind the lucky pilots that flew it (top pic). Wheel spats can be seen. HK-1503 w/o in 2004, HK-1505 fate unknown to me.
Is draining fuel from the wings (via a valve or something seem to remember) to fill a cigarette lighter common practice? Seen it done.
photo date early - mid 60s , Coveńas
When you're taxiing for a mile or so with a 30 knot crosswind with one engine at 30 inches and the other at idle to keep it straight you do tend to ride the brakes.
Fill a cigarette lighter? You're not draining enough gas! We keep a few old coke bottles in the back. A converted C-47 has 6 fuel sumps. Working out of a small field, guys would drive right up to the plane to load their kit. I've seen guys sump a tank, walk over to their car and pour the fuel in, walk back to the next sump and repeat. They probably got a gallon of gas a night!
Fill a cigarette lighter? You're not draining enough gas! We keep a few old coke bottles in the back. A converted C-47 has 6 fuel sumps. Working out of a small field, guys would drive right up to the plane to load their kit. I've seen guys sump a tank, walk over to their car and pour the fuel in, walk back to the next sump and repeat. They probably got a gallon of gas a night!
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Fair to say that I did not see much oil leaks on these DC3s. They were probably cleaned regularly. Nothing like you see on some 6s and 7s.
With all that gas in wing tanks and sumps 'no smoking' signs had to be taken very seriously.
Like don't try your recently filled cigarette lighter .
With all that gas in wing tanks and sumps 'no smoking' signs had to be taken very seriously.
Like don't try your recently filled cigarette lighter .
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PW R4360 Wasp major
Thanks for all the oil discussion. I'm still working on getting my R4360 running this summer. I've read this engine takes 100wt Mil spec oil and burns 130 octane gas. I'm not sure what size oil tank I will need to do ground running. I don't plan on running it for very long at each start and have been considering not installing an oil cooler. What size oil tank do I need to run the engine for 5 minutes or so at a time?
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”two COLPET DC-3s (in Colombia).”
Hi,My name is Carl Hearn. I just stumbled upon your 6th March 2009 reference to ”two COLPET DC-3s (in Colombia).” I’m thinking these might be the same two DC-3s owned by the Colombian Petroleum Company, which were primarily used to transport personnel, equipment, and supplies to and from Cucuta, and the company’s oil camps. If so, I rode in the aircraft a number of times during the years 1948-50 when they were flown by pilots named Hightower and Parrish. I also went to school with the pilots’ respective sons, Jimmy and Michael. My dad, Carl Hearn Sr. was employed by COLPET until 1951 when he went to work for Royal Dutch Shell and we moved to Venezuela. I’m guessing the aircraft I traveled in would not have had disk brakes at the time I mention, but it is fun and interesting to read about aircraft that could be the same ones, just updated. It would also be fun and interesting to hear about your connection with these aircraft and the place and time? My email address is [email protected]
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P&W R-985
Always got a smile out of the fact that the oil filler cap was in the cockpit between the pilots on the floor of the Dh2 Beaver, and the next time I do a raidal float endorsement, I'll be wearing full length oil proof overalls! great fun tho'!
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This is a beautiful and interesting discussion--- highly informative for a 'jet-age guy'
Historical fact...the Douglas DC-6B was the absolute least expensive 4-engine piston aircraft to operate (per revenue seat/mile) because of its very reliable Pratt&Whitney R-2800CB16 engines.
And yes, I have about 1000 hours in the 'ole girl...a superb airplane to fly.
No hydraulic boost on any control surface, spring/balance tabs only.
Ahhhh, the good 'ole days.
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The Lockheed Hudson engines (P&W 1830's?) leaked oil over the wheels on the ground. So much in fact, we placed car tyre inner tubes over the top of the wheels on over-night parking. Messy business removing them, too.
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We parked an old ACE connie on a new bit of concrete
at Cairo.
They had to send a chap out with a bucket of fuel and a
pile of rags when we left the next day.
You could see where we'd been parked for years after.
at Cairo.
They had to send a chap out with a bucket of fuel and a
pile of rags when we left the next day.
You could see where we'd been parked for years after.
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411A -
You got that right. Got my first Rating on the DC6/7.
Storminnorm -
Ha.....how do you think we found our Gate with the Connies?!?!
...the Douglas DC-6B was...a superb airplane to fly.
Storminnorm -
You could see where we'd been parked for years after.