Extreme Piston Power - Aircraft Radials

It took eight radial engines to lift history's largest airplane into the air.  Howard Hughes' H-4, commonly known as the "Spruce Goose" was powered by eight Pratt and Whitney R-4360 Aircraft Radial Engines.  With 28 cylinders per engine, the power of a combined 224 pistons would carry the billionaire's giant flying boat into the sky and into the record books.  How did these complex and powerful engines come into being?  Why were they needed?  And why were they so oil-thirsty and messy?  In this presentation, Faride will answer these questions and raise a few new ones.  It took two world wars to push the limits of piston power and make the radial engine reach its highest evolution. Bring a cleaning rag!

Speaker: Faride Khalaf