Sure, why not? Or you could use the engine to drive a generator which
would then drive electric motors to spin the props. Or you could do away
with the added weight and complexity and drive the props right from the
engine!
PAW wrote:
This is a BS question, but I'm curious. 
I was looking at some hydraulic motors the other day and was wondering if
a pump and motor could be used to drive a prop. A crazy example; two
hydraulic motors and a couple pumps (powered with a mazda 13b maybe ??) to
power something like a Cessna 337 in-line thrust type aircraft.
Understanding weight would be an issue, I'm wondering how it would, or could
,work. I was looking at an Eaton motor that was rated at (up to) 3200 RPM @
about 120 ft. lb of torque. Weight was 20 lbs. They have a pump (48 lbs)
that moves 42 gpm @ 4000 psi.
Is it possible? Single place would be fine. 