enginehistory.org

[sithomas]

I found an interesting document at the NASM in Arthur Nutt's personal papers, which are available here:

https://edan.si.edu/slideshow/viewer/?eadrefid=NASM.1987.0115_ref265

It was interesting to read the Wright versions of events.

On the "Additional Report of the Special Committee investigating the National Defense Program", Arthur Nutt has hand written "This report is designed to support Truman and his desire to be the V.P. of USA. It is wrong and viscous" (Page 8 )

His letter to Doubleday states:

Here is the true at story. An Amy inspector rejected a small gear because when marking the required part number on the gear with acid etch a drop of acid spilled on the gear. The spot was not called for on the drawing.

The gear department foreman took the gear to the Chief Amy Inspector who accepted the gear without question. This same inspector, I was told, was in trouble constantly and as a result was transferred to another plant. As a result this disgruntled inspector went to his Congressman who in turn took
the report to Harry S Truman's committee.

I suspect the truth lies somewhere in the middle...

It's worth hunting around the rest of his papers. There are some interesting things to find. There are quite a number which have been digitized.
http://sova.si.edu/record/NASM.1987.0115

[avasko]

This is a great find. From books and post here and other source Wright scimped on its engineering people. The Truman report pointed at Wright Aero as being a problem. Pratt outsouced its engine to car maker but Wright attempted to expand. With talent short, problems were inevitable.

UISAAF experience in ferrying A-20 Havoc and B-25 to North Africa said that corrosion of the engine (UNSPECIFIED WHERE ON ENGINE) was serious enough to require engine changes. ?????
The R-2600 was a much-used engine by the USAAF and USN..
Navy had them in TBF/TBM Avenger, SB2C Helldiver and PBM Mariner
Did the Navy have same problems as the Army?