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


Given the hazardous nature of the P-38's mission - with engine
failures relatively likely controllability after failure would seem
important - especially since someone likely would still be shooting at
you after said failure.  In a dog fight, if someone put out one of
your engines, you probably should bail out, but if you lost an engine
due to ground fire, you probably should try to keep going.  There were
lots of P-38's that were brought home with only one engine still
turning.

As well, I can imagine that counter rotating props offer an
opportunity for lower drag, yielding longer range and higher top
speed.  Considering all of the intersection drag on this
configuration, the P-38 is remarkably fast.

I have a hazy recollection that at least one P-38 has been flown with
both engines turning the same direction.  I might be making that up
though..  :)


Matt-