Powered by Lycoming

[baldeagle27]

This was posted on Facebook, don't know the whole story, but both airplanes say "Lycoming" on them-



So maybe the Tank is Lycoming powered also...



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[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Powered by Lycoming

Lots of tanks in WW-II were powered by aircraft engines. The larger U.S. ones had big radials, but the Germans used Diesels that the fuel didn't explode so easily and was easier to make. Fuel tanks were still the weak spot on most armored vehicles.
Hank

[M Towsley]

Re: Powered by Lycoming

I didn't know there were Lycoming powered T-Crafts with the full cowl. I thought they all were pre-war with the open cowl. ??????

[jim cooper]

Re: Powered by Lycoming

I didn't know there were Lycoming powered T-Crafts with the full cowl. I thought they all were pre-war with the open cowl. ??????

The old timers m ,ade many many changes to these aircraft so a closed cowl lycoming is probably not unusual. The Stearmans cont. 670 was used in the Sherman tank for instance, hence many parts are around. Probably same for the 300 HP Lycoming radial which was a much better fit for the Stearman and SMOOOOOTHER! Tank engine parts not "certified"by the govt. for aircraft use but used anyway. JC

[M Towsley]

Re: Powered by Lycoming

I'm fully aware of the Continental being used in the tank, not sure why a Lycoming would be in a WWII era Taylorcraft. Anyone with definitive knowledge on this? I even question the Luscombe as most of those I thought were Continental-powered, too.

[Miguel]

Re: Powered by Lycoming

The pre-war BL-65 and BL12-65 all has used the Lycoming engine, and the closed cowl.-

[Miguel]

Re: Powered by Lycoming

Correction: May be that firsts BL-65 has used the open cowl.-

[jim cooper]

Re: Powered by Lycoming

Correction: May be that firsts BL-65 has used the open cowl.-

I'm referring to a horiz. Opposed engine in the taylorcrft, NOT a radial. The old exposed lycoming in the T craft was a lousy design so some were probably replaced with a slightly larger HP engine with a closed cowl. RE: Stearman power, WW2 dictated many engines for many applications. the Cont. 220 used in the Stearman was underpowered. The 300 HP lycoming was also used and was much smoother with two more cylinders plus made it a better performer. Used as a sprayer after WW2 the 450hp PW was prevalent and some had a 600 HP installed. The 450 was and is the preferred engine for airshows plus upper and lower ailerons which helped a lot. Bill Tinkler, a retired airline captain who passed away recently had a magnificent Luscombe with a 150 HP engine which he flew a lot on the 80's here in Maryland. JC

[3Dreaming]

Re: Powered by Lycoming

Marty, starting in 40 the closed cowl was an option even for the Lycoming engine. Not all were had that option as mine in April 41 had the open cowl. All of the BL-12-65's would have had the closed cowl.

Jim, The open cowl Lycoming powered airplane was a wonderful airplane. Having flown several different T-Crafts The little Lycoming powered is one of my favorites. The airplane is so light and nimble, the engine runs so smooth, and you can't hardly wear one out.

[3Dreaming]

Re: Powered by Lycoming

Marty, a look at the Luscombe TCDS shows they had a model with the Lycoming engine. The had a 65hp and a 75hp engine. The 75hp engine was a geared engine. Tom

[M Towsley]

Re: Powered by Lycoming

Thanks Tom. The one you and your dad had, and the ones my dad flew during WWII including the one you guys restored, were open cowl and I had never seen or heard otherwise. I never knew the Luscombes were Lycoming powered. Great history lesson. Now if the origination of the photo could be found.

[baldeagle27]

Re: Powered by Lycoming

A guy on my Facebook owns that Luscombe now, N41933. He says it was a Lycoming powered 8B when built, but was converted to a 65 Continental in later years.

Also, a couple of minor details, the Sherman didn't use a W670, not enough ooomph, they used a Continental R-975 (license built Wright). There were smaller tanks that used the W670 though, not sure which ones (edit-- found it, the M3 Stuart tank used the W670). And WW2 Stearmans used a 225 hp Lycoming, not the 300. Same cubic inches, but the 300 uses steel connecting rods instead of aluminum, has a constant speed prop, rear exhaust, and a few other differences. Lots of them on Stearmans now, but not in WW2.

[M Towsley]

Re: Powered by Lycoming

That is neat the Luscombe is still around, too bad the number on the T-Craft isn't visible.

[Ray36048]

Re: Powered by Lycoming

From the mountian in the background, I would say the picture was taken at the Williamsport Airport. The airport was built in 1929. I don't know when Lycoming built their hangar.

[jim cooper]

Re: Powered by Lycoming

When I flew my Stearman in the 80's I studied and spoke to ALOT of people about them and read a lot of articles about them. Jack pogue, a WW 2 pilot, embry riddle grad worked on my Sterman a lot and said that the same engine had been used in this tank. In addition, an article of the time said the parts for the tank engine were not approved for the 670 in aircraft but were being used by many. The tank , according to one article had two radial engines that lay flat in the rear of the tank. I would think two would give it enough" oomph". I never was lucky enough to fly a 450 Stearman, always wanted one. There is a beauty at massey air museum that flys often. The 450 DOES make a big difference, as does an 85 or 0200 on the T Craft. JC