The hard  part may be in finding the Sun to Planetary gear that is the same
ratio,  and gives counter rotation, but it appears to have the fewest
physical  obstacles to the  desired modification. I willl also ckeck out
AIRMASTER
AND VESTA.

About the "one engine out" thing - the P-38 has  two rudders (directly in
the prop thrust line), and there is always  "cheating" and building them a
little over-size. This is the case with the  cockpit that came out 21 3/4"
wide
at 60%. I will have to cheat there to  get a minimum of 24" width. At 6' 7"
and 280 lbs, I think I will have to do  a wood mock-up, just to be sure.

I knew I could count on super-terrific  ideas from you guys! Already a
wealth of stuff in just 7 replies so  far!      Bernie.


Bernie,

It is not simply a matter of where the rudder(s) is(are) located. When you
loose an engine, there is severe asymmetric force put on the airframe.
Although  a rudder directly in back of the prop blast will mitigate the problem
somewhat, I doubt that it will have the  curative effect you think. If
this were the case, the selection of counter rotating props in the 38 would
have  been a moot point as the increased expense (Not in $ but in maintenance
and  parts). When you loose an engine, the drag created by the "bad" side as
well as  the prop must be counteracted. Perhaps a knowledgeable aero engineer
type can  chime in.

Rich

I think the P38 pilots were told to bail when they lost an engine :)

Paul Lamar