Today we celebrate some of the most cherished sounds in aviation on which to feast your ears...radial engines. This is a long-awaited follow-up to my last radial-fest in 2021. I have curated a list of some of my favorites, though many left out will be added to another video soon. And as always, I’m open to your feedback!
00:00 C-47 / DC-3 (P&W R1830 - 1,350 HP)
How could a celebration of radial engines be complete without the venerable and immortal DC-3? Unlike other radials, the P&W R1830 purrs a smooth song, running almost quietly. But given how many were produced, it served as the soundtrack for millions around the world, and is unmistakable as the aircraft it powers.
03:55 Beech 18 (P&W R985 - 450HP)
The Beech 18, at smaller scale of this video, is powered by 2 P&W R985s that carry the stout little 18 wherever it’s pilots choose to take it. When coupled with a 2-blade prop, the R985 howls, making known its presence within miles. (I personally prefer the 3-blade)
06:53 Grumman Avenger (Wright R2600 - 1,800 HP)
I love the Avenger, it’s big and bulky and seems to be in no hurry of going anywhere, and therefore, leaving a huge audio footprint where it goes. Contrary to the relatively muted DC-3, the Avenger is loud and cantankerous.
09:31 Douglas Skyraider (Wright R-3350 - 2,700 HP)
The Skyraider’s makes the list as one of my favorite warbirds (a toss-up between the Skyraider and the non-radial P38 Lightning!), and who doesn’t enjoy listening to the monstrous R3350 light up the sky? I’m sure the vietcong didn’t.
12:21 Martin Mars (Wright R-3350 - 2,500 HP)
It’s crazy to think that as late as 2015, the gigantic Mars was still roaming the skies in search of a contract to fight fires. Lucky were those who lived near the lakes where it operated in Canada, where it’s 4 Wright R-3350 would create a thunderous roar around the mountains. Of this list, this is probably my favorite…
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Video Credits:
• Sunday Warbird Departu...
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• Grumman TBM Avenger Ta...
• Grumman TBM Avenger ta...
• General Motors TBM Ave...
• HISTORIC Swissair Doug...
• Icelandair Douglas C-4...
• DC-3 (C-47) Engine Sta...
• DC-3 N437GB at Opa Loc...
• Dc-3 Takeoff Östersund...
• Douglas Dc-3 "Congo Qu...
• Beech 18 | Engine Star...
• Start up engine of Bee...
• Beechcraft Model 18 Ta...
• Matt Younkin Twin Beec...
• Very Nice Beech 18 Lan...
• [HD] Beech 18 / C-45 C...
• Douglas A-1 Skyraider ...
• skyraider cold start
• Skyraider McDonell Dou...
• Douglas AD-4N Skyraide...
• AD-4 Skyraider Takeoff
• Martin JRM Mars "Hawai...
• Martin Mars Water Bomb...
• Martin Mars Water Bomb...
• The Hawaii Mars takes ...