The ACTUAL Howard Hughes, Spruce Goose, Pratt and Whitney R-4360 Wasp startup 3,000 HP!

The R-4360 was a 28-cylinder four-row air-cooled radial engine. Each row of seven air-cooled cylinders possessed a slight angular offset from the previous, forming a semi-helical arrangement to facilitate effective airflow cooling of the cylinder rows behind them, inspiring the engine's "corncob" nickname. A mechanical supercharger geared at 6.374:1 ratio to engine speed provided forced induction, while the propeller was geared at 0.375:1 so that the tips did not reach inefficient supersonic speeds.

The Wasp Major was maintenance-intensive. Improper starting technique could foul all 56 spark plugs, requiring hours to clean or replace.

Engine displacement was 4,362.50 cu in (71.489 L), hence the model designation. Initial models developed 3,000 hp (2,240 kW), and later models 3,500 hp, but one model delivered 4,300 hp (3200 kW) using two large turbochargers in addition to the supercharger. Engines weighed 3,482 to 3,870 lb (1,579 to 1,755 kg), giving a power-to-weight ratio of 1.11 hp/lb (1.83 kW/kg).

[patchescessna]

Years ago, I was fortunate enough to have lunch under the wing of the H-1 in its Long Beach hangar, At my table was one of the crew members from its only flight, He mentioned Howard had a standing directive that the H-1 was to be maintained for flight. For years they pumped hot oil through all the engines weekly and kept the aircraft in flight ready status. I remember him mentioning there was provisions for crew member mechanics access in flight.

[w.e.s.]

I need this for a personal fan in the summer

[rickyhuff]

My favorite engine, not to mention the best video and cleanest running one I've seen!

[mjw]

It's been said that one reason that the Goose never flew again was Hughes was secretly alarmed at how underpowered it was. Later on, Hughes engineers said that it would have been a good candidate for conversion to turboprop engines.

[claiborneeastjr]

Just imagine eight of these monsters at full tilt! Eighty-year old technology at its finest!

[davidslefort]

Push it to the max for a few seconds I love to hear that power 4500 horsepower

[davidforbes]

A story about Howard Hughes' famous flight of the Spruce Goose said that during the flight Hughes had 8 men with fire extinguishers in the wings behind the 8 engines, just in case of fire. I've read this several times, but I've never seen a photo that backs it up. It sounds like Hughes, though. He was a remarkable man in his prime, even if he did go nuts in his later years. Watch the movie "The Aviator" with Leonardo DiCaprio as Hughes. I think it's pretty well done.

[ETKSauron]

One would think that the engine would belong in the same museum as the plane as part of its history...I wonder if Evergreen has attempted to buy this from Penngrove. Beautiful engine. Back when the piston was king and size mattered!

[georgechapman]

I’ve always been an aviation aircraft junkie. I grew up, just down the road from Patrick Air Force Base in Central Florida as a kid I always got to see military aircraft fly, but these old engines have always strike my interest. What a amazing engineering victory this engine was at its time.

[Mike-]

The engine was actually compact for it's power output. Aircraft engines run at much higher continues loads then auto engines.

[khyr]

The Spruce Goose set for the 1990's in a partial See-thru tent next to Evergreen Aviation McMinnville Or. The main fuse was in 1 long tent, and both wings and other bits were in another. I drove by it every day. They were gathering funding to build the new museum that it now sits inside, across the highway from Evergreen Aviation. Every time I drove by those pieces in the tents, I thought of Howard, and what he would have thought of it all. I think we know the answer. I visited in 2002 when it was assembled and placed, and paid the money and set in Howards chair. Mammoth cockpit. A small RV could fit in there. And yes, they did pump hot oil thru those motors before turning them over for decades, on Howards orders. They kept it flight ready for him till 1975. An extraordinary treat to see that turning over.

[KubanKevin]

I would give up many things to experience that violent, brutal, and raw power first hand.

[briangreiner]

There is another surviving Spruce Goose H/H collection engine just outside of Allen County IN. in a personal collection.

[chrisdigital]

"It belongs in a museum!!!" In Harrison Fords voice.

[davidabrams]

I saw this engine run a few years ago in Penngrove California car show. I have video of it. Have been to this guys house museum in July this year hes got tons of cool old equipment.

[RedfishCarolina]

Can't wait to see them LS-swap that trailer!

[jimsonbrown]

Couldn't have rev'ed it up at least once?

[tomberto]

The best way to see a running R-4360 will be at the final races flown by the Sea Fury "Dreadnought" at the Reno Air Races, this September.

[kennethohmert]

Love to see it in a wind tunnel with full prop and full speed.

[Onwaxwings]

Sir your check engine light is saying you have a mis fire on cylinder 21!! Lol amazing engine