This a reply to Jerry about the Tailwind prop, for what ever it might

be worth.

The Hatch rotary engine in my RV-3 delivered about 215 hp at a prop

rpm of 2700.  The prop I chose

was a Pacesetter due to its particularly robust construction in the

hub and blade shank.  The

diameter was 72 inches, and the pitch was 100 inches. Top speed with

this prop was 238 mph on the

cross wind leg of the in 1997 Sun 100.  No nitrous oxide was used for

that race.

Acceleration on take off was a tad slow, but I thought nothing of

using the high altitude fuel

stops - Rawlins, Rock Springs, and Laramie in the heat of the

summer.

I had a prop with slightly less pitch (86 inches) for the Shell 3D

speed dash.  With the nitrous

oxide on I could make it from brake release to 3,300 feet in 45

seconds - Bohannon's best time was

49 seconds.  The engine was producing about 350 hp.

Just for what it is worth.

Alan Tolle

Thanks Alan.

Just to put that climb rate into perspective that is over 4400 FPM
right in the jet range. P-ports are the way to go for normally
aspirated.

I sure wish we were where you were back then. Everett's untimely
death set us back years.

Paul Lamar

So how many RV3's have rotary engines been installed?  I'm thinking of
building an RV3.  Any thoughts from the group on this?

Tom Webber

At least two. Finn is flying an RV3 if memory serves me correct.

BTW the PSRU ratio of Alan's airplane was 2.4:1 as I recall.

Paul Lamar
 
The AirCraft Rotary Engine NewsLetter.  Powered by Linux.
ACRE NL web site. http://home.earthlink.net/~rotaryeng/            
Copyright 1998-2002 All world wide rights reserved.