F3F

[BaldEagl]

I was looking ar an image of an F3F tonight and wondered what the thing under the nose is that looks like a radiator intake.  You wouldn't think there would be a radiator in a radial and not all F3F's seem to have it.  I also highly doubt they were supercharged.  What is it?

[Krusty]

Radial engines do not have liquid cooling radiators, you are correct.

Most of them DO have oil coolers, however.

[Soulyss]

Not sure, but here's another view with the cowling removed.

[Noir]

I love the chubby looks on this airplane 

[Hap]

boy is that a pretty plane.

[Wmaker]

F3F had a Wright's 950hp Cyclone 9 -22. And it was indeed supercharged but the lower air intake is for the oil cooler which is clearly visible in the pic that Soulyss posted. The carburator/supercharger intake is in the upper part of the cowling like in the Brewster for example but not quite as visible.

[Rino]

     If anyone remembers Der Bubba JG54 from AW, he was with the salvage effort that recovered this aircraft when
he was stationed at North Island.

http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/doncoms/Display.php?irn=16017417&QueryPage=%2FQuery.php

     Somewhere in my storage I have the videotape he made from his sub during the recovery effort.
I can't remember if it was the DSV Turtle or the Sea Cliff <it's sister ship>.  Here is the Sea Cliff.

[Widewing]

Here's a couple of F3F videos from youtube....

Historic...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os19XiWGDjs

Modern day... Note that the particular sound of the R-1820 engine is typical of those engines with a collector type exhaust.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGHLX5oQXh0&NR=1

[BaldEagl]

Here's a couple of F3F videos from youtube....

Historic...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os19XiWGDjs

Modern day... Note that the particular sound of the R-1820 engine is typical of those engines with a collector type exhaust.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGHLX5oQXh0&NR=1

Thanks for the vids Widewing.

"480 mph and the wings stay on!"  

That must have been quite an accomplishment at the time.

[clerick]

I love the chubby looks on this airplane 

... always fun to ride until your friends see you...   

[oboe]

I was lucky enough to see an F3F fly at an airshow at St Paul's downtown airport a few (well maybe more than a few) years ago.  Looks so much cooler in flight doing low passes along the flightline.   Became an instant favorite of mine.