WIX Archives

Engines availability

Posted by Cees on Mon May 13, 2002 07:48:25 AM

Hi all,

It never ceases to amaze me where aiframes and/or parts are found all over the globe. What aiframe parts cannot be sourced they can be made anew.

The situation concerning engines is completely different. Although there is a reasonable supply of Merlin and Allison V1710 engines as well as a good supply of the American radials, examples of German/Italian and Japanese engines are very much in short supply.

Regarding German aircraft projects using V-12 engines there is a general trend to use an original engine. Buchons are being re-engined using DB601/603/605 series if available. The chances that such an engine could be located is based purely on luck (I think) and a large bankaccount needed to acquire one.

The Daimler Benz for instance was built under license in Sweden, Italy, Hungary, but as you know the Daimler Benz engines are extremely rare especially airworthy ones of which you need at least two.

What I am curious about is:

Are there still sources somewhere where examples of the German V-12's (DB and Jumo) can still be found in reasonable condition and used for airworthy projects. I know that Russia has supplied a lot of engines in the past few years and I have seen two BMW 801's at North Weald some years ago which looked in very good condition, but can engines lying in the open for fifty years still be considered suitable for overhaul and installation in an airworthy aicraft.

Where can good potentially airworthy Germans V-12's still be found?

Your views please

Cheers

Cees

Follow Ups: