Since intelligence is probabilistic it’s expected.
If someone could come up with a 100& perfect intelligence…
In Venezuela we say, “¡Espéralo sentado!”
“Wait for it sitting down!”
The Captain
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No it isn’t, as that impeller certainly had dimensions. All Mr AI says is it is “bigger” than a Hispano-Suiza H1, but how big is bigger? I need to fit it in place of the stock supe on an Allison V1710, which had a 10.25" impeller. The alternative is to stuff a planetary gearset behind the stock Allison supe, to produce two speed operation. That solution would be heavier and bulkier. An entire alt history is waiting on that data so it can be created.
This is the SP supe on the back of a Hispano-Suiza 12Z Yeah, it’s big.
The stock supe on the back of an Allison V1710. Doesn’t look encouraging.
But the alternative is the plumber’s nightmare that resulted when Allison tried a quick and dirty approach to a two stage supe.
Steve…Churchill is waiting…
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I bet no one would pick up on that historical detail one way or the other.
I would know there was a hole in the feasibility of the alt timeline. As I create these for my own amusement, the entire point of the exercise would be lost, if I handwaved that vital bit of information away. One of my alt histories was published, last year. Some of the elements of the story were questioned, and, having done the research, instead of making convenient assumptions, I defended my work with facts.
The genesis of this exploration started with correspondence from Churchill to FDR, in mid 1940, about the destroyers for bases deal. Besides destroyers, Churchill was pleading for, among other things modern aircraft. Historically, the Glenn L Martin Company produced two series of twin engine bomber, that the US never bought, but the Brits bought in large quantity, and they served well. But, when it came to fighters, everything the US had in production did not perform at the altitudes the Berlin Brownies played at 20-30,000 feet. The RAF bought the P-38, but, as the turbochargers were bleeding edge technology, the US would not let the Brits have them. So, the RAF 38s, as well as the P-39s and P-40s they bought were not really competitive, in the western European theater.
In the spring of 1940, the French Air Force was desperate for higher performance fighters, and was in active negotiations with Ford Motor, to produce the Dewoitine D520, with an Allison engine, for France. Historically, the negotiations ended when France surrendered.
The alt history has the negotiations with Ford proceeding at a faster pace, so that, by the time France surrendered, Ford was tooled up for the D520, and about to start production. With their buyer gone, Ford has Henry Morgenthau, who had been involved with the negotiations with France, ring up the UK purchasing mission, to see if they would be interested in the D520 that Ford was all set to produce. But, the issue is still getting that Allison engine to work at higher altitude.
This is the original, Hispano Suiza powered D520.
Steve
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The research continues. Looks like changing out the supe on the Allison, by itself, is a no-go. The supe is integral to the accessory drive housing: one big casting that contains the drive gears for oil, fuel, coolant, and hydraulic pumps, as well as mounting points for starter and generator. Making an entire new rear housing is easily within Ford’s competence, but Allison was a division of GM, so I can see conflicts arising.
The D520 was about 900lbs lighter than an Allison powered P-40, empty, and 2300lbs lighter, loaded, after adjusting for the greater weight of the Allison engine. That weight difference will improve performance, even without better engine performance at altitude. Just have to call that “good enough”, and use the off the shelf Allison.
This is an example of the housing that complicates matters. Now on offer on eBay.
Steve
Only for the outsider.
When information is less than reliable and the knowledge base is limited >> Paranoia will keep the writer company.
Alex, what else is to blame on Israel for $500?