enginehistory.org

jrussell · Joined: 26 May 2004 Posts: 55 Location: Portland, Oregon

Can anyone tell me where to look for the Data Plate on a 4360? At the museum I work at there is a cutaway 4360 and I was trying to determine the " dash" number of the engine. I could not find it so i assumed that it would be where the cutaway was. Lo and behold, another complete engine showed up. There is no Data Plate where the cutaway is on the other engine - where are they located?
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It runs best just before it blows!

szielinski · Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 94 Location: Canberra, Australia

I notice this post is getting quite a few reads. Perhaps someone who is WRITING A BOOK ON THE 4360 may be able to contribute ?
(hello Graham !!)

gwhite · Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 58

Sorry - I was asleep at the wheel (keyboard?). The data plate is mounted on the nose case. Unfortunetly, it's just bolted on with locking tabs so it's easy to liberate. Unlike most which are riveted on making it a little more difficult to steal.

Apologies for the late response - Graham.

jrussell · Joined: 26 May 2004 Posts: 55 Location: Portland, Oregon

Many thanks for the response, Graham. That is where I assumed the data plate would be, so when I could not even find any holes drilled for the mounting rivets (assuming it would be mounted in a similiar fashion to other P+W engines), I asked the Curator what was going on.The engine is installed in a spare nacelle for the Spruce Goose (H-4, aka HK-1) we have sitting on the floor next to the Spruce Goose. When Howard Hughes ordered the engines from Pratt Whitney for the Spruce Goose and XF-11 programs, he specified they would be delivered WITHOUT data plates! As well, he demanded that they be motored continously while in transit, and would have hot oil circulating through the engine. How would you like to be the poor salesman detailed to deal with Mr. Hughes? As a separate question, do you know which "dash number" the cutaway 4360's that P+W supplied to training schools were? The one the museum has is a two speed, single stage. Can't wait for the 4360 book.
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It runs best just before it blows!

gwhite · Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 58

I wasn't aware of Hughes' requirement for no data plate. Not sure how he got awqay with that as it's a CAA/FAA requirement.
P&W cut away a number of differnt dash numbers. For instance I've seen B-36 engines and -59s and others cut away.

jrussell · Joined: 26 May 2004 Posts: 55 Location: Portland, Oregon

The ones on the H-4 for the flight were engines borrowed from the Navy, and returned after the first flight ( so I am assuming that they DID have a data plate ). The ones he ordered as replacements ( 20 engines, including the ones on the H-4 currently ) are the ones without a data plate. When I was first told about this, that was the first thought that popped into my mind, trying to get a Navy inspector to pass off on an aircraft that had no engine serial #'s! What there is no record of, is WHY Hughes made this demand. Another in a long list of reasons why the Navy ( or Army ) wanted nothing to do with Hughes.
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It runs best just before it blows!

rwahlgren · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Posts: 324

Viewing from behind, the right hand side.
On the propeller reduction gear casing , just in front and below the lower
magneto, is a pad area with 4 small holes for the data plate.