Strange 747/Pratt & Whitney project

[Ricky]

We are installing a PT-6 on the top or on the nose of a 747! Can't
tell you where or what company.
Can you figure out why we would be doing such a thing?
Doesn't a 747 go much faster than anything running a PT-6?
We really don't know why this project is happening so I would
appreciate hearing your guesses.

Thanks,

Ricky

[Kingfish]

On Jan 16, 4:22*am, Ricky > wrote:
> We are installing a PT-6 on the top or on the nose of a 747! Can't
> tell you where or what company.
> Can you figure out why we would be doing such a thing?
> Doesn't a 747 go much faster than anything running a PT-6?
> We really don't know why this project is happening so I would
> appreciate hearing your guesses.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ricky

Your engineering team just discovered crystal meth?

[Darkwing]

"Ricky" > wrote in message
...
> We are installing a PT-6 on the top or on the nose of a 747! Can't
> tell you where or what company.
> Can you figure out why we would be doing such a thing?
> Doesn't a 747 go much faster than anything running a PT-6?
> We really don't know why this project is happening so I would
> appreciate hearing your guesses.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ricky

Yes that is a strange project! Hi speed blade testing?

[Tech Support]

Ricky

A couple of WAGs.

1. Use PT-6 turbo prop to help take offs with max gross, hot day and
high altitude field.

2. Make normal 4 engine take off and at cruise altitude start PT-6
turbo prop and shut two engines down. This config would save a lot of
fuel and help bottom line.

3. New version of PT-6 and 747 airframe used as test bed. Qualify
another (bigger) engine for UAV use to carry heavier load.

4.Testing at high altitude for possible use on UAV .

Do you know the project or just fishing for possibilities :o)

Big John

************************************************** ******


On Fri, 16 Jan 2009 01:22:29 -0800 (PST), Ricky
> wrote:

>We are installing a PT-6 on the top or on the nose of a 747! Can't
>tell you where or what company.
>Can you figure out why we would be doing such a thing?
>Doesn't a 747 go much faster than anything running a PT-6?
>We really don't know why this project is happening so I would
>appreciate hearing your guesses.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Ricky

[Kingfish]

On Jan 16, 1:23*pm, Tech Support <> wrote:
> Ricky
>
> A couple of WAGs.
>
> 1. Use PT-6 turbo prop to help take offs with max gross, hot day and
> high altitude field.
>
> 2. Make normal 4 engine take off and at cruise altitude start PT-6
> turbo prop and shut two engines down. This config would save a lot of
> fuel and help bottom line.
>
> 3. New version of PT-6 and 747 airframe used as test bed. Qualify
> another (bigger) engine for UAV use to carry heavier load.
>
> 4.Testing at high altitude for possible use on UAV .
>

The testbed idea sounds plausible. #2 is probably not likely due to
prop's inefficiency at high mach.

[More_Flaps]

On Jan 16, 10:22*pm, Ricky > wrote:
> We are installing a PT-6 on the top or on the nose of a 747! Can't
> tell you where or what company.
> Can you figure out why we would be doing such a thing?
> Doesn't a 747 go much faster than anything running a PT-6?
> We really don't know why this project is happening so I would
> appreciate hearing your guesses.
>


My first guess extra electrical power generation, the second high
atltude tests.

Cheers

[Ricky]

On Jan 16, 12:23*pm, Tech Support <> wrote:

> Ricky

> A couple of WAGs.

> 1. Use PT-6 turbo prop to help take offs with max gross, hot day and
> high altitude field.

> 2. Make normal 4 engine take off and at cruise altitude start PT-6
> turbo prop and shut two engines down. This config would save a lot of
> fuel and help bottom line.

> 3. New version of PT-6 and 747 airframe used as test bed. Qualify
> another (bigger) engine for UAV use to carry heavier load.

> 4.Testing at high altitude for possible use on UAV .

> Do you know the project or just fishing for possibilities :o)

> Big John

> ************************************************** ******

> On Fri, 16 Jan 2009 01:22:29 -0800 (PST), Ricky



> > wrote:

> >We are installing a PT-6 on the top or on the nose of a 747! Can't
> >tell you where or what company.
> >Can you figure out why we would be doing such a thing?
> >Doesn't a 747 go much faster than anything running a PT-6?
> >We really don't know why this project is happening so I would
> >appreciate hearing your guesses.

> >Thanks,

> >Ricky- Hide quoted text -

The testbed sounds plausible since this 747 is being fitted with a
new, uncertified Pratt turbine engine for testing.

I do know the project as last night I was doing layout on one of the
doublers that wrap practically all the way around the plane aft of the
cockpit.

Ricky

[[email protected]]

On Jan 17, 11:02*am, Ricky > wrote:
> On Jan 16, 12:23*pm, Tech Support <> wrote:
>
>
>
> > Ricky
> > A couple of WAGs.
> > 1. Use PT-6 turbo prop to help take offs with max gross, hot day and
> > high altitude field.
> > 2. Make normal 4 engine take off and at cruise altitude start PT-6
> > turbo prop and shut two engines down. This config would save a lot of
> > fuel and help bottom line.
> > 3. New version of PT-6 and 747 airframe used as test bed. Qualify
> > another (bigger) engine for UAV use to carry heavier load.
> > 4.Testing at high altitude for possible use on UAV .
> > Do you know the project or just fishing for possibilities :o)
> > Big John
> > ************************************************** ******
> > On Fri, 16 Jan 2009 01:22:29 -0800 (PST), Ricky
> > > wrote:
> > >We are installing a PT-6 on the top or on the nose of a 747! Can't
> > >tell you where or what company.
> > >Can you figure out why we would be doing such a thing?
> > >Doesn't a 747 go much faster than anything running a PT-6?
> > >We really don't know why this project is happening so I would
> > >appreciate hearing your guesses.
> > >Thanks,
> > >Ricky- Hide quoted text -
>
> The testbed sounds plausible since this 747 is being fitted with a
> new, uncertified Pratt turbine engine for testing.
>
> I do know the project as last night I was doing layout on one of the
> doublers that wrap practically all the way around the plane aft of the
> cockpit.
>
> Ricky

But why would they use a airplane the size of a 747 to test a PT6?
Even a big PT6's power is tiny compared to the 747's thrust.

Dan

[Ricky]

On Jan 17, 3:20*pm, wrote:

> *But why would they use a airplane the size of a 747 to test a PT6?
> Even a big PT6's power is tiny compared to the 747's thrust.

You know, Dan, that's exactly why I posted this. Although I'm working
on the mod, the company I work for is hush hush about the reasoning
behind what they are doing.
I do know that one of the 747's engines will be replaced with another
engine for testing & possible certification. I also know this short-
body 747 is a bone yard rescue, very old (I was sitting in the pilot's
seat during a break & everything is ancient up there), and will have
several projects/modifications hanging onto it at various times.

We also know that somewhere, either on the nose or directly above/
aside the lounge, there will be a PT-6 mounted. I do know that larger
versions of the PT-6 (PT-6C) produce 1600-2300 shaft horse power but
why a 747 mount is beyond my ability to comprehend.
My thinking is that the speed of a 747 is so much faster than anything
running a PT-6 that this project sounds unreasonable.
There's gotta be a good reason otherwise Pratt wouldn't be spending
the millions on the project they are. & I will fish around at work
until I find out. Hopefully I can get a picture or two with the thing
on the nose. Won't THAT look interesting?!

It'll be kinda like the photo I have of a Beech Baron my dad worked on
developing that had a third engine mounted on the nose.

Ricky

[JJ[_2_]]

More_Flaps wrote:

> My first guess extra electrical power generation, the second high
> atltude tests.
>
> Cheers

Mine was as an APU for the latest pulsed beam toys. You would want the loads
to be separate from any of the rest of the AC.

JJ

[[email protected]]

On Jan 19, 2:51*pm, JJ > wrote:
> More_Flaps wrote:
> > My first guess extra electrical power generation, the second high
> > atltude tests.
>
> > Cheers
>
> Mine was as an APU for the latest pulsed beam toys. You would want the loads
> to be separate from any of the rest of the AC.
>
> JJ

That sounds more reasonable. What would be the max output in Kw?

[Tech Support]

Ricky

Anything you can report yet?

Have a nice day.

Big John

************************************************** ****

On Fri, 16 Jan 2009 01:22:29 -0800 (PST), Ricky
> wrote:

>We are installing a PT-6 on the top or on the nose of a 747! Can't
>tell you where or what company.
>Can you figure out why we would be doing such a thing?
>Doesn't a 747 go much faster than anything running a PT-6?
>We really don't know why this project is happening so I would
>appreciate hearing your guesses.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Ricky

[[email protected]]

On Jan 29, 11:32*am, Tech Support <> wrote:
> Ricky
>
> Anything you can report yet?
>
> Have a nice day.
>
> Big John
>
> ************************************************** ****
>
> On Fri, 16 Jan 2009 01:22:29 -0800 (PST), Ricky
>
> > wrote:
> >We are installing a PT-6 on the top or on the nose of a 747! Can't
> >tell you where or what company.
> >Can you figure out why we would be doing such a thing?
> >Doesn't a 747 go much faster than anything running a PT-6?
> >We really don't know why this project is happening so I would
> >appreciate hearing your guesses.
>
> >Thanks,
>
> >Ricky

If you go to
http://www.pwc.ca/en/news-events/press/details/913910
it mentions the B747SP that will be used for flight testing of all
P&W engines. I assume they used a 747 so it could handle
the big ones?

rick

[Ricky]

On Jan 29, 10:32*am, Tech Support <> wrote:
> Ricky
>
> Anything you can report yet?
>
> Have a nice day.
>
> Big John

Actually, as a new mechanic at my place of employment I just
discovered that I am not supposed to be talking about things like this
online or in person to anybody.
If anyone from my workplace happens to be following this thread you
are free to contact me in person and discuss this with me.
Being new, I was not aware of the hush policy on our work. This is
simply the mistake of a newbie and I will cease to discuss this
project.
As an airplane enthusiast and pilot I am more predisposed to talk
about things at my work like this than many of my co-workers would be.
Sorry, of course I'd like to talk more about it, but I must honor the
policy of my workplace.
I do apologise for bringing this up in the first place and then sorta
leaving some of you hanging but, as I said, this newbie made a little
error.
It is mentioned in this thread that there seems to be some more info
online regarding this plane, beyond that, I must zip it.

Sorry,

Ricky

[Ricky]

On Feb 1, 1:43*pm, wrote:

> If you go to
> * *http://www.pwc.ca/en/news-events/press/details/913910
> it mentions the B747SP that will be used for flight testing of all
> P&W engines. I assume they used a 747 so it could handle
> the big ones?
>
> rick-

Yeah, there is some good info in black & white there that's NOT from
my workplace, whew!
Wow, turboprops on a 747...who woulda thought? Wink, wink...

Ricky