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The Northrop Turbodyne (XT37)
A Brief Cost Analysis of the Turbodyne T37 Engine
by Col R.J.Minty, Chief, Power Plant Laboratory
1 Aug 1949
| Item | Total | Completed 6 Jun 1949* | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering | $177,044.80 | 100 | $0.00 |
| Loft and Template | $17,500.00 | 95.7 | $752.50 |
| Tool Design | $3,450.00 | 80 | $690.00 |
| Tooling Labor | $25,950.00 | 80 | $5,190 |
| Tooling Material | $2,595 | 100 | $0.00 |
| Factory Labor | $370,534.08 | 82 | $66,606.13 |
| Material | $236,471.27 | 100 | $0.00 |
| Factory Burden | $495,605.10 | 82 | $89,208.92 |
| Administrative Burden | $41,613,52 | 85 | $6,242.03 |
| Turbodyne Corporation** | |||
| Participation | $1,219,878.95 | 14.5 | $1,041,967.07 |
| Wind Tunnel Model Test | $30,000.00 | 100 | $0.00 |
| Flight Test | $424,481.70 | 0 | $424,481.70 |
| Engineering Burden | $142,446.26 | 100 | $0.00 |
| Grand Total | $3,187,680.69 | $1,635,288.35 | |
| * From Progress Report 6 Jun 1949 | |||
| ** From Progress Report 30 Jun 1949 | |||
PART II – Status of Turbodyne Engine Development and Design Contract
| Item | Eng Funds Allocated | Paid as of 20 Jul 1949 | Unpaid Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPFF Contract No. W33-038-ac-6218 | $3,727,731.01 | $3,631,965,98 | $95,765.03 |
PART III – Estimated Cost and Status for 50 Hour Qualification and AMC Engines
Provides for –
CPFF Contract No. W33-038-ac-22281 = $3,522,742.69
2 ea Engines to be delivered to AMC for testing, which conform to the engine that completes the 50-hour qualification test.
2 ea T37-3 Extension Shafts
2 ea Reduction Gears
2 ea Speed Control Units
Miscellaneous Drawings and Progress Reports
Status of Progress –
a. Amount Total Contract =; $3,522,742.69
b. Amount Paid 20 July 1949 = $1,836141.20
c. Balance (Unpaid) = $1,686,601.49
d. From Progress Report 30 June 1949
1. Engines (5) = 67% Complete
2. Engine Controls = 65% Complete
3. Propeller Reduction Gears = 30% Complete
4. Drive Shafting = 55% Complete
5. Development, Gear Testing, Controls Testing, Engineering Revisions, Test All Conversions, etc. = 51% Complete
6. 50 Hour Testing = 0% Complete
PART IV – Estimated Cost and Status of Progress for Five Propellers Used on T37 Engine
a. Air Force is to receive three tractor propellers from Navy on MIPR-R-49-75N - P-611 Funds and Total $217,778.64
b. Two pusher propellers and two spinners on contract – delivery Jan or Feb 1950. AF-33-038.1495 (Aeroproducts)
F-110 Funds $191,082.38
Three spinners, conversion equipment , test and vibration surveys - F-611 Funds $133,210.10
Total Contract = $324,292,48.00
Total Payments = $0.00
Unpaid Balance = $324,292,48
Total for five propellers = $542,071.12
Status –
a. The propellers from the Navy are estimated to be 33% completed as of 1 Aug 1949.
b. The propellers on AF contract are estimated to be only 10% completed as of 1 Aug 1949.
PART V – Summary and Conclusion
Part I – Airplane Conversion = $3,378,941.53
Part II – Development Contract = $3,727,731.01
Part III – Contract Seven Engines = $3,522,742.69
Part IV – Propellers = $542,071.12
Estimated Funds Recoverable if Contracts Terminated
Part I = $925,000.00
Part II = $0.00
Part III = $1,300,000.00
Part IV = $235.000.00
Total Recoverable = $2,460,000.00
Notes:
1) The converted EB-35B is scheduled for completion 15 Nov 1949, but probably will not fly until 20 Dec 1949.
2) One engine went on test block 8 Jun 1949.
3) One propeller has been borrowed from the Navy but has not been used.
4) Part I – Funds recoverable represents $424,481.70 for flight testing and $500,518.30 from Turbodyne Corporation for three incomplete engines. Total $925,000.00 recoverable.
5) Part II – Contract complete but lag in payments due to contractor. No funds recoverable.
6) Part III – Buyer estimates the contract is 49% complete. Funds recoverable $1,300,000.00
7) Part IV – It is estimated that no funds can be recovered from the Navy for the three propellers to cost $217,778.64 because the blades are different and the three propellers are in addition to Navy requirements. It is estimated $235,000.00 can be recovered from the Air Force contract for two propellers, etc., to cost $324,292.48.
8) Contributing to this development was the earlier Turbodyne I engine jointly sponsored by the Navy and Air Force. The was a Navy-administered contract for $2,439,655.94 and work was completed in 1945, at which time the Navy withdrew from the program and the Air Force proceeded with Turbodyne II.
9) This analysis was made following specific instructions NOT to contact any of the contractors interested in the Turbodyne engine program.
3 Aug 1949. Col Minty forwarded the XT37 cost analysis to Gen Carroll with the following comments:
1) The analysis was done by the Procurement Directorate in coordination with buyers in the Procurement Division and Engineering Division representatives.
2) In accordance with a telephone conversation between Col Minty and Gen Carroll on 3 Aug 1949, the Engineering Division recommendations concerning program continuation were included:
a) Continue the present contracts using already-obligated funds. Further funds should be withheld until the work to be done under currently-obligated funds is complete and can be evaluated.
b) No further consideration should be given to transferring XT37 development to another company.
3) The recommendations conform to the Board of General Officers decision outlined in a letter dated 4 Feb 1949, and are based on the following facts:
a) Information will be obtained on propeller/turboprop engine combination at higher subsonic speeds.
b) Experience will be obtained on turboprop engine controls.
c) This is the largest turboprop engine under development by the Navy or Air Force, and probably the largest in the world. Some valuable turbine engine experience will result from its testing. Immediate termination would lose much of the potential technical information to be gained compared with a relatively small fund recovery.
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