WIX Archives

Re: True, but...

Posted by Jim on Sat Apr 26, 2003 03:02:40 AM

In reply top True, but... posted by bdk on Fri Apr 25, 2003 06:23:38 PM

:
: In the case of the DB, I know the magnesium prop reduction
: gearcase is a problem. I think a new one was cast for Dav
: id Price's 109. Is there truly a shortage of Merlin or DB
: cranks- or is it the crankcase that is in short supply, or
: what?
:

In the case of David Price's DB engine, the costs for just the reduction gear cover pattern matching and machining came to $20,000.00, according to an excellent Air and Space article on the V-12 engine builders. Because of this cost, the engine builder Mike Nixon was pretty skeptical about the possibility of building new engines. He thinks they'd easily cost a million each. Not to mention that the DB engines were far more advanced and complex than their counterparts from RR and Allison.

The article also mentions the current status of spare parts and the reasons for their shortages.

I'd very much like to see these engines reborn, too, so that more Axis aircraft can become airworthy. I think new parts should be made for safety reasons as well instead of using deteriorating parts and those with late-war quality issues.

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