Airplanes Modified for SPEED - 10 Turboprop Conversions

10 airplanes that had piston engines, converted to TURBOPROPS! Putting a turbine engine in an airplane is the best way to increase speed, climb performance, and reliability. Here are some of the best conversions.

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FLORIDAFLYING AVIATION MERCH!

[FloridaFlying]

*Remade and reuploaded from an old video*:
Comment your favorite turboprop conversion, or which you would like to see!

[thinkingoutloud]

Still watching for the Draco to be resurrected. It will be a true Phoenix.

[j.thomas]

I flew a Cessna 421C with the Riley Rocket conversion. The 421 was originally powered by two Continental GTSIO-520-L engines of 375 hp each. The 421C was later converted to the Riley Turbine Eagle 421 aka Riley Rocket, which was powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-135 turboprops with 750hp each. It was an amazing plane to fly especially after the prop gear reduction box was removed.

[taproom]

The Maule family of bush planes are legendary for performance, even at gross weight. A few years back, they offered a TP version which was an absolute Beast of a backcountry tool. Unfortunately, they're few and far between so they're BIG $$$. I'd love to have a more affordable, modern conversion kit for my 1971 M-4-220 Maule. ^v^

[TimothyBlairMusic]

These are some great aircraft. I see others have mentioned it, but I was blown away when you got to number 10 and hadn't mentioned any De Havilland aircraft. By far some of the hardest working and most common turbo prop converted aircraft in the world. Australia, the Bahamas, South America, Germany and the Pacific North wWest, just to name a few places you'll find them.The Turbo Beaver, and Turbo Otter should at least get an honorable mention!

[ratematrix]

That PC-12 at :41 belonged to one of my customers (he sold it and bought a Mustang). It had a buffalo and ostrich interior. I spent three days on it a few years ago. Wild seeing it here.

[bobbysnow]

Thanks for the video, Beaver and Otter were some of the first aircraft to be converted to turboprop.

[hectorherbert]

my fav would be the DC-3...as a private jet with a comfy cabin, what a dream airplane..!!

[fevengr]

Loved the Starship shirt. Haven't seen any memorabilia like that for a VERY long time.

[codyzumr]

Im really glad you mentioned the wilga and the draco

[lucasbeebe]

Haven’t heard good things maintenance-wise on the earlier [piston] Dukes—specifically their engines. The specs of the converted one make it sound like a beast.

[CrossWindsPat]

I went to Velocity a month ago for a tour and flight with my dad on his Bday. Was great fun. They had a twin turbine getting the final touches at the hangar. Imagine that beast of a thing!

[paperclipmaniac]

I know it's not a conversion, but the PA-42 Cheyenne 400 is just badass.

[rexjohnson]

The next turboprop airplane I'd like to see is mine!

[mikewaterfield]

Royal Turbine, Beech and Turbo props are like peanut butter and jelly. Turbo props on a DC 3 while practical is BLASPHEMY!

[grandpateal]

You forgot the piper Cheyenne with the Garrett TPE331-14 engines. It's literally the fastest plane ever built ever

[danieldrinkwalter]

Surprised you didn't have the de Havilland Beaver and Otters. Both are very commonly being converted to turbo prop, with several companies specializing in the conversion..

[tor-petterhalden]

-On your video on turboprop conversions... Thumbs up! 😀
I think that the Dehaviland Beaver turbine conversions might be worthy to be included in your list. ( I believe there are quite a number of them flying). -High climb rate and short take-off n' landing capabilities (as you pointed out) is very useful in bushplanes. Also... Isn't there a lot longer time between service intervals on turbine engines?

[craigtalbert]

Hi Las Vegas Craig here
My first time watching your channel
I enjoyed Your video
Great job on research and examples of engine up grades
Bravo 👏🏻 I look forward to watching more videos from your channel
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✌️👍👌

[davidwiederspahn]

I have a Glasair Sportsman that can be easily converted to a taildragger or floats from tricycle gear (all mounting points built into the original aircraft). A small turbo prop would give that aircraft great on water performance, ability to fly where 100LL is not available, increased payload and better high altitude performance for mountain flying. I’m sure it would also improve landing and takeoff distances which are already very good. And of course reliability is nothing to be ignored as a major positive. The big downside is obviously cost. An issue may be weight distribution and CG but it might be something worth looking at in the future, especially if a good replacement for 100LL is not found.