Check out this article at RetroMechanix.com on the Boeing XB-44 Superfortress, a B-29A upgraded with Pratt & Whitney R-4360-33 Wasp Major radial engines of 3,000 hp each:
This experimental engine testbed first flew in May 1945 and was essentially the prototype for the B-50, the core of the USAF’s early postwar strategic bombardment capability. The accompanying gallery features 15 high resolution photos of this little known member of the Superfortress family.
-Jared
By: Arabella-Cox - 28th September 2011 at 20:42
Halos
Interesting phenomenon.
They might perhaps be bare-metal blades in zero-thrust condition i.e. essentially edge on to the airflow so they could run the engines up without jumping the chocks?
Propeller companies were, by 1945, producing propellers capable of going into reverse thrust to shorten the landing roll of large aircraft. This aircraft could be fitted with those with the prop pitch lever not set fully to reverse to enable high-rpm runs without thrust.
They also appear to be Curtiss props, which were electrically operated and which were used on the B-50.
Anon.
By: Flying_Pencil - 28th September 2011 at 01:11
Halos around engines interesting.
White propellers?
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September 28, 2011 at 12:02 am