Turbo prop AT-6/SNJ?

Off & on over the years since turbo prop cropdusters (more politely,
ag-aircraft) have been being converted from radial engines to PT-6 or
Garret power, I've wondered if anyone has converted an AT-6/SNJ to a
turbo prop. Surely some well-to-do (or just eccentric) type has at
least considered it. Anyone ever hear of or see one?

no, since how do you improve on perfection ?

Well, let's see. A turbine has been hung on the P-51D & someone
figured a Cessna 182 needed a non-fuel injected *******ized IO-520
hung on it. Beech 18s & DC-3s have been getting it done for years. I
didn't say anything about 'improving perfection'. I do understand the
improved reliability & other benefits of a turbine, tho. IIRC, Taiwan
had a turbo prop trainer that's essentially a T-28 with a Lycoming
T-55 turbo prop on it.


iespam (N329DF) wrote in message ...
no, since how do you improve on perfection ?

Well, let's see. A turbine has been hung on the P-51D

None of these are flying today........why?
VL

Nope, no Turbo Mustangs, but quite a few DC-3s & Beech 18s with
turbines are, IIRC. I guess no Turbo Mustangs are around since the
military never pursued them. Which brings up another point. That
new-fangled homebuilt composite Mustang look-a-like with a Lycoming
T-55 (I think). That's almost expensive as buying a real P-51, isn't
it?





(MLenoch) wrote in message ...
Well, let's see. A turbine has been hung on the P-51D

None of these are flying today........why?
VL

in 1968 there was a turbine powered P-51 called the Cavalier Turbo Mustang
III http://cavaliermustang.tripod.com/intro.html (scroll down the page to
read about it).

It was later marketed as the Piper Enforcer
http://cavaliermustang.tripod.com/enforcer.html

--
Les Matheson
F-4C(WW)/D/E/G(WW), AC-130A, MC-130E WSO/EWO (ret)

"frank may" wrote in message
om...
Nope, no Turbo Mustangs, but quite a few DC-3s & Beech 18s with
turbines are, IIRC. I guess no Turbo Mustangs are around since the
military never pursued them. Which brings up another point. That
new-fangled homebuilt composite Mustang look-a-like with a Lycoming
T-55 (I think). That's almost expensive as buying a real P-51, isn't
it?





(MLenoch) wrote in message
...
Well, let's see. A turbine has been hung on the P-51D

None of these are flying today........why?
VL


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USN still uses the Beech Mentor, powered by turbine in T-34C configuration.

frank may wrote:
Well, let's see. A turbine has been hung on the P-51D & someone
figured a Cessna 182 needed a non-fuel injected *******ized IO-520
hung on it. Beech 18s & DC-3s have been getting it done for years. I
didn't say anything about 'improving perfection'. I do understand the
improved reliability & other benefits of a turbine, tho. IIRC, Taiwan
had a turbo prop trainer that's essentially a T-28 with a Lycoming
T-55 turbo prop on it.


iespam (N329DF) wrote in message ...

no, since how do you improve on perfection ?

"frank may" wrote in message
om...
Off & on over the years since turbo prop cropdusters (more politely,
ag-aircraft) have been being converted from radial engines to PT-6 or
Garret power, I've wondered if anyone has converted an AT-6/SNJ to a
turbo prop. Surely some well-to-do (or just eccentric) type has at
least considered it. Anyone ever hear of or see one?

Hmmm. How many ag aircraft were *converted* to turbo power after aleady
being built as recip powered aircraft? I know that some of them have
undergone second production lives as turbo-powered aircraft, but has there
been any actual conversion of aircraf that were already flying?

Brooks

I've wondered if anyone has converted an AT-6/SNJ to a
turbo prop.

Why would anyone do that? That snorting radial engine is half the fun of the
airplane.
VL

I'd imagine that about 1/2 or so turbine ag planes have been
converted, maybe more. At least the ones I know of. Most of the
turbine AgCats I see have been converted. About 1/2 of the turbine Air
Tractors I see have been converted. OTOH, most of the turbine Thrushes
that I see are factory built, but they were doing that in the late
'70s. It's a lot cheaper to do a conversion to an airframe than to go
buy a new one.



"Kevin Brooks" wrote in message ...
"frank may" wrote in message
om...
Off & on over the years since turbo prop cropdusters (more politely,
ag-aircraft) have been being converted from radial engines to PT-6 or
Garret power, I've wondered if anyone has converted an AT-6/SNJ to a
turbo prop. Surely some well-to-do (or just eccentric) type has at
least considered it. Anyone ever hear of or see one?

Hmmm. How many ag aircraft were *converted* to turbo power after aleady
being built as recip powered aircraft? I know that some of them have
undergone second production lives as turbo-powered aircraft, but has there
been any actual conversion of aircraf that were already flying?

Brooks