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Thanks anyway! :)

bevel drive overhead cams like a porsche 550.

I don't see a starter unless it is the pad on top which I had figured for an accessory drive.
 
Yup, bevel drive. The accesory pad would likely accept an hydraulic pump/motor. You might be able to use an hydraulic accumulator to start it. That would add a lot of complication though.

K.
 
I believe that the engine uses a starter similar to an O-435 Lycomming if not the same one. The folks that are members of the Confederate Air force are very knowledgeable about old war birds. (older members)
 
Thanks, Bob. I'll bet you're right ..... I'll bet one of those guys has probably even flown one.

K.
 
:eek:ccasion5:!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Matt, docking and handling would all just have to be done slowly and with great care. It would have to be handled like a true antique, even though it's really not.

There are several sources for reproduction brass fittings like the ones in some of your photos. Even though it must give the appearance of being a boat from another era, we'll have to be careful to see that it is USCG compliant unless the CG would be willing to allow us a special exemption for it because it will be used mostly at shows, as PR for the airboat industry. It will have to be a good handler, and safe to operate.

K.
 
You guys need to keep up the flow of info on this project. Maybe it will get built someday and be a huge commercial success making the touring show boat circuit. I can see it now BF, Jim & MOOD all like mother hens on this thing. I think it needs polymer on the bottom though outta sight but there to protect it when dry loading in downtown washington dc.
 
I saw a movie once about the life of Mark Twain. He was on an around the world lecture tour to try to raise money to get out of bankruptcy. The press interviewed him and said that they had reports of his death. He answered that the reports of his death had been greatly exaggerated.

The air boat project is Big Feather's dream. I am just a consultant when he asks. I already have 3 antique boats and I am not looking for more.

Jim
 
Cntry, he says that, but you notice that he kept postin' pictures of those old aircraft engines last week .... :wink:

Mood has had some great ideas for the boat too ... He must really be into the classic stuff.

K.
 
Well guys it has been my finding that when you are not looking for something is when it finds you. Both of you guys being retired.. gives you the time .. if not the inclination to proceed on this project. Now Mood I believe he suffered serious damage during the years he had that long hair ... I have heard that it places severe starin on the brain cells and is often permanent .. causing regression to a past life before long hair was around.

But thats just my findings.. you guys are all alot of fun to follow on this thing it is very entertaining and the best part is it is a dream that can be brought to reality. My daddy always said if you want something bad enough you will find a way to get it.
 
Hey you guy's, ya better keep it up! I've been following along(about all I can do during this damn slow healing process) and the DREAMING (vs. wishing) is GREAT! A few things to think about: How many people is it to carry? Number of people may determine the motor. How fast is it to go? At this point Waterthunder hold your horses :lol: as my mother would say. Really, is it to be windburn fast :twisted: , fast plane :D , slow- elegant cruise plane :) ,or not quite on plane but look darned good doing it :? .
Some of those inverted motors were on E-Bay not long ago and nobody bid on them. Price was cheap too.
As far as old car motors, they are out there sometimes for a song(or two). When I was in high school, there was an old ('39-'40) Lincoln Zephyr coupe with flathead V12 that rusted away in a field in Longwood, Fla. Memories of regret seem to hurt worse :cry:
Since this is to be an "era" or "vintage style" airboat, all componants SHOULD be of era or appear to be of era. (no '20s era boat with '60 -409v8.
These are just a few things to consider. Remember, as Jimmy Buffet says, "Answers are easy its the Questions that bother us so".
 
I did some research on the Ranger V12. It was used in 5 different airplane models including 3 experemental and 2 production airplanes. They were all dismal failures. The production airplanes were military and they were so bad that most of them got used as target drones. This makes it a perfect airboat engine, right?

If anyone sees a V12 on e-bay, let me know.

Jim
 
Swampjet, thanks for the kind thoughts. Hope you're feelin' better.

The boat we've all been kickin' around on here wouldn't be built for commercial success, even though if it was really done right it should have some value on a boat show / car show / airplane show circuit.

I'd like to see a big, beautiful mahogany hull that will seat at least six people, with brass everything ..... engine stand, prop cage, hull fittings, all of it. Jim and I have talked about using using large diameter, thin wall brass tubing to make the prop cage (2 1/2") and then using that to also be the oil tank for the engine. The wiring, oil lines, fuel lines would all be hidden to make it look as uncluttered as possible.

A vintage aircraft engine not only because it would have the "look" for a show boat, but because it would make around 450 - 500 hp with no effort ..... slow running would still turn a BIG 3 or 4 blade wooden prop, so that you could get out and cruise on this thing and still not make a lot of noise. A very pretty, quiet, big ol' cruiser.

An airboat that Budweiser might like to use to make a Southern Christmas commercial with. No snow for a change.

It would take some money to build an airboat like that ... money that I don't personally have. I would just like to see it built. It would put the word 'airboat' in a whole new light, and it would be a lot of fun just to
see her run. I would like to drive it once, though !!

Ken
 
OK Matt, and everyone else,

Here is your update on the so called "secret" project. There is a running example of the V12 Ranger on a test stand in central FL.. More on that later when I figure it out.

Here are the type certificate specs:

http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulator...0cca8525670c0052b5ec/$FILE/ATTG4795/TC207.pdf

The engine on the far right, B7, is probably what we will likely find. They are around, and at reasonable prices. I just need to find some.

Jim
 
moodfood":2t8hui45 said:
I'd think that the bevel drive on that camshaft is an ineffecient way to transfer energy - and would cost some horsepower.
Click to expand...

Why do you think that?

Bevel gears are quite efficient
 
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