"Bill Daniels" wrote in message
link.net...

The prototype Hercules used 8 Pratt and Whitney R-4360 of 3500 HP each -
the
wrong engines. The 5000 - 7000 HP Lycoming XR7755, then under
development,
was the intended engine. The Convair B-36 and the Northrop B-35 were also
supposed to use the R7755. See:
http://www.aviation-history.com/engines/xr-7755.html

With a total of 56,000 HP instead of "just" 28,000 the "Spruce Goose"
would
have been a outstanding success - don't blame the failure on the airframe.

It's interesting to speculate how these huge aircraft would have performed
with the enormous Liquid cooled Lycoming.

Are plans available?

Rich "Sharpening my chisel" S.