Rosine, Steve wrote:
Here's another example of the now-classic auto engine failure mode. This is
the CarterCopter prototype.
Excerpts from their press release
http://www.cartercopters.com/pressrel11.html
V6 NASCAR racing engine. Compound turbo. 600 hp for short duration
from 0-30,000 ft., 300 hp at 45,000 ft., 145 hp at 60,000 ft., 71 hp at
75,000 ft. Weight without radiator, turbos, turbo coolers and coolant
is 265 lbs.
Though this says 600 HP from a V-6 the details of the flight test were not
that impressive:
Maximum speed was 126 MPH, maximum altitude was 800 feet and maximum
rate of climb was 600 feet per minute at 260 HP
I cannot now find the statement about total engine hours, but saw on the web
site that this engine has <40 hours.
The engine did not sound right, therefore, it was turned off once
the CarterCopter cleared the runway. When a restart was attempted the
engine locked up. The aircraft was towed back to the hanger. Initial
inspection showed two spark plugs destroyed. When the engine was
disassembled it was revealed that the intake valve to the #5 cylinder
failed - for still unknown reasons. The intake valve had broken into pieces
and bounced around the inside of the intake manifold and was ingested by the
other cylinders. One large piece had wedged in the intake manifold chamber
of the #1 cylinder. Further inspection revealed a crack in the
crankshaft which probably occurred when the prop shaft broke (Press
Release, May 17 <pressrel10.html>). A decision will be made next week
whether to rebuild the V-6 or to replace it with a V- 8.
Advantage Rotary. An update on my personal project--- The 13B on my Mustang
II is now running, though without gearbox or prop. I use Tracy's EC1 and
homemade intake, exhaust and muffler. Cooling is by Spitfire-type wing
ducts. I'll send updated pictures soon.
Steve Rosine
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