Testing An F-82E Twin Mustang Allison V-1710 Engine & MT Prop

[Darrel Starr]

I am not close to this major warbird restoration but every now and then something pretty cool happens. C&P Aviation at Anoka County Airport (KANE) in Blaine, MN, has one of five P-82/F-82 twin mustangs existent. This is not an underfunded effort -- Cargill family $$$. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_F-82_Twin_Mustang

Today, they were running one of the V-1710 Allison engines with a specially built MT prop. The rumor around the airport is that MT designed and built the props for about $1M -- don't know if that is true but since original F-82 props don't exist I'm sure the cost was way up there.

I wasn't there when it was running but a friend who was there said that they revved it up to 3000 rpm and that the noise was extreme. I heard that the point of running it is to qualify the new MT props. Anyway, progress in getting this rare warbird to Oshkosh one of these years.

Here is a link to the airframe restoration video: https://vimeo.com/21704963

 

[aktango58]

Those pictures should work better than viagra, for those that might need that sort of thing.

 

[Steve Pierce]

I didn't realize that the twin Mustange used Allison engines instead of the Merlin. There are some props out therebut they are on museum static displays that they won't sell for replicas. There was a twin Mustange in Breckenridge until there was a renig on a trade made years ago. Ashame because I really wanted to see it fly. The twin Mustange and P61 Black Widow are the two airplanes I would love to see fly.

 

[Wingwrench]

This engine is a Merlin out of a P-51, not an Allison. The engine is just to drive the prop for testing. If standing next to a V-12 at 60" map doesn't get your heart rate up you are dead. C&P is to be commended for the hard work preserving our aviation history.

 

[Yarddart]

This looks like it might be something I could use in my snowbusiness .the best two rides ever had P 38 lightning P 51 this looks like a great project keep us posted

 

[Darrel Starr]

Wingwrench, I took a look at Merlins and Allisons on the Internet and you called it right -- the engine is a Merlin. Now I am confused as to the purpose of the test. Guess I'll have to go ask. Patrick Harker at C&P also has a P-51 so they might be qualifying the prop for that airplane or, as you suggested, It might just be a convenient engine to test the prop.

 

[Jim Gevay]

Great set of photos Darrel, wish I would have been there.

 

[Binty]

Wingwrench, I took a look at Merlins and Allisons on the Internet and you called it right -- the engine is a Merlin. Now I am confused as to the purpose of the test. Guess I'll have to go ask. Patrick Harker at C&P also has a P-51 so they might be qualifying the prop for that airplane or, as you suggested, It might just be a convenient engine to test the prop.

Perhaps a 'Packard' Merlin...

Check out the cutouts on the rear of the blades??

 

[skywagon8a]

Perhaps a 'Packard' Merlin...

Check out the cutouts on the rear of the blades??

Good catch Binty, I didn't notice those. They would be a no-no if the blades were made of aluminum, especially in that high stress area.

 

[sj]

That is cool.

 

[n40ff]

There is nothing like the sound of a Merlin IN THE AIR IMO. While I love radials and look up whenever one is overhead, a P51 B, C or D is the best. I was in my hangar (1W30)working on the Tu-holer a few years ago and heard the sound of multiple radials over at KCBE, walked around the side and watched a B17 as it took off and headed east. Maybe 5 min. later another roar as a B24 followed it. By then I knew what was going on so I took a chair outside to be ready for the next act and sure enough I only had to wait a couple min. for the P51C to follow the bombers......All together a good day....I liked the last act the best.

One of my neighbors @ 1W3 enjoyed it too. Old Walt was a B17 copilot in WW2. He tells of his one flight in a P51, says he's been waiting since 1945 for another one....

Jack

 

[Eddie Foy]

One of the cool things about being based at X58 in indiantown is that i share the field with Fighter Enterprises. Glenn Wegman is the owner and has been restoring P51s there for over 30 years. Every now and then I get the pleasure of hearing one of those beautiful machines in the break.
It is a treat just to vist and stare at them.

Here is one when Jack Roush dropped in.