XP-47H...

and other stuff up in the air
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D.R.H.
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XP-47H...

Post by D.R.H. » Sat Feb 06, 2021 10:36 am

Here is a 10 minute gem that I found on line. A Republic P-47 refitted with an experimental Chrysler Hemi V-16 XI-2220 c.i.d. 2500 h.p. engine. The nose of the plane looks kinda funny to me, but the obvious tell is that the flight performance would have been markedly improved.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8pWs5sRCnQ
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.


Joe Gopan
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Re: XP-47H...

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat Feb 06, 2021 12:58 pm

I love it!!! Note the attitude of the test pilot, he had to have nerves of steel. Me? I would have taken a looong roll of toilet paper with me.

Thank's, Dave.
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D.R.H.
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Re: XP-47H...

Post by D.R.H. » Sat Feb 06, 2021 10:19 pm

You got it Joe!! I found this to most interesting.
The more I look around on YouTube at videos, I am finding more and more obscure U.S. built aircraft. I was really into W.W. 2 aircraft when I was just a boy and loved to build the plastic Monogram, Revell and other makers kits when I was a young teen. Back in the mid 1970's there were so many kits to choose from, it was a time of high wonderment for me. :)
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

Wolfman
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Re: XP-47H...

Post by Wolfman » Sun Feb 07, 2021 5:32 am

Very interesting.
Been around aviation my whole life and first time I have seen this aircraft.
Wonder what happened to it ??
I have flown into Evansville, In. several times. The surrounding terrain still looks similar but the airport sure has changed.
Pucker Factor. The first flight tenseness. On a scale of 1 to 10, it comes in at about 15.
I have built 11 aircraft from scratch and rebuilt another 5 or 6 more.
Test flew them all.
At some point, you have done all the math and run all the ground test but at the final point, you are sitting on the end of the runway. Engine running. Your hand on the throttle and your senses are in overdrive. Only thing left is go full throttle.
When the wheels leave the ground and you are flying, nothing else like it in life !!
Well ?? Had pretty much the same feeling when the wheels on the 707 broke ground at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, on my return trip home. :D
PF drops back to about 10 at that point after lift off and all is well.
First landing is the next thrill.
PF back up to about 12.
I have a plaque on my office wall that says, " Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man. Landing is the first 1st ! ".
Mike Wolford
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Joe Gopan
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Re: XP-47H...

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Feb 07, 2021 6:47 am

There are 80+ years of good aviation magazines and books on the WWII P-47, the "H" version of the P-47 started appearing in print and Movietone news around 1942 or 1943. I don't believe the XP-47H was intended for production but was a power plant experiment.
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Wolfman
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Re: XP-47H...

Post by Wolfman » Mon Feb 08, 2021 7:11 am

I am a little curious about this engine.
2220 C.I.D. Hemi. ??
Suppose to be 2 V-8 engines connected.
That would be 1110 C.I.D. per engine. That is a big engine.
First Chrysler Hemi engine I am aware of was the 341 Cu. In. V-8 used in about 1954 or 1955 automobiles.
By 1958 that increased to 392 Cu. In.
We called them " Elephant Engines ". Quite large compared to other automobile V-8s of the time.
Still 2 of these would not come even close to 2220 Cu. In.
Obviously worked nicely.
Wonder how it compared in size to a Merlin ??
Done in by the jet age. :?
Mike Wolford
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clintm20
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Re: XP-47H...

Post by clintm20 » Mon Feb 08, 2021 7:48 am

Looks like a P-40 on steroids. Beefy. Speaking of test pilots the Hawker Typhoon series killed over 20 test pilots according to the documentary I watched recently. :shock:
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Joe Gopan
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Re: XP-47H...

Post by Joe Gopan » Mon Feb 08, 2021 12:09 pm

V-1650 Merlin was the Made in USA Packard version.
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HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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Wolfman
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Re: XP-47H...

Post by Wolfman » Fri Feb 12, 2021 5:23 am

This XI-2220 engine tweaked my curiosity. Did some research. There is some intel out there.
This engine was huge. Weighed in over 4000 lbs. and was 122 inches long. This compared to a 78 in. long Merlin.
Liquid cooled.
It was in fact two inverted V-8 engines connected in the center by a gear box that doubled as a propeller drive and an accessory drive.
A prop drive shaft ran over the top of the front engine from the center drive unit to a 4 bladed prop.
Another interesting thing, it was turbo and supercharged. Both exhaust & mechanically driven intake boost.
It was listed as very complex. That usually translates into troublesome. One thing I have learned, the more complex something is, the more there is to go wrong.
So far, I have found no evidence that a P-47H still exist.
After a lot of research, development, some testing and a lot of expense, the project was terminated. Mostly do to the onset of the jet age which made the beast obsolete before it ever got into production. And $$$$
But, when you consider putting a flat head V-8 Ford engine into a jeep. ???
What's the diff ? Seen all kind of strange things in my life. 8)
Mike Wolford
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Joe Gopan
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Re: XP-47H...

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Feb 12, 2021 7:44 am

Invest in some books dealing with Republic during WWII. "Thunder Factory" comes to mind, 40's dated "Jane's world aircraft is another source. I have a library on 40's 50's military aircraft and little time to enjoy it.
Many "one off" aircraft such as the XP-47 H were used as test beds for power plants.
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HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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Wolfman
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Re: XP-47H...

Post by Wolfman » Sat Feb 13, 2021 6:38 am

Thanks !
I will look into Thunder Factory. Sounds interesting.
I have a copy of Jane's. May not go back to the 40's.
I will check it out.
Mike Wolford
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AOPA ( 50 yrs)
EAA ( 49 yrs)
4th Inf. Div. - 5th Inf. Div. - 2nd Armor Div. - CIB

Joe Gopan
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Re: XP-47H...

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat Feb 13, 2021 8:35 am

Shiffer Publications has a good book on WWII Republic aircraft.
I just checked my Aircraft library, one of the best books on WWII aircraft manufactured by Republic Aviation is "THUNDERBOLT" by Warren Bodie, it includes details on the XP-47H, there were two.
One of my CO's, Col. Phillip Tukey and friend Col Lew Chick are mentioned in this book.
(The other half of my hobby is WWI aircraft).
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Wolfman
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Re: XP-47H...

Post by Wolfman » Sun Feb 14, 2021 6:45 am

Got it.
Thanks !!
Mike Wolford
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Comm./Inst. SEL
AOPA ( 50 yrs)
EAA ( 49 yrs)
4th Inf. Div. - 5th Inf. Div. - 2nd Armor Div. - CIB


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