UK "Mothership".... - Page 2

Tin Man · 09-25-2007, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glyn

High powered single engined aircraft can indeed suffer problems on take-off, but which side it veers to depends on the rotation of the propeller. Some types go to port and others to starboard....

In addition, I have read that British, Japanese and European piston engines rotated in the same direction whilst US models rotated in the opposite direction.
I don`t know if this was true, I would think it would be dependent on engine manufacturer, rather than something as vague as country of origin.

Another thought, it is supposedly a more natural instinct to break left rather than right in an emergency. Something to do with how the Brain is wired. It was thought that a port island structure would get "smacked" more than a starboard one.

glyn · 09-25-2007, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIN MAN

In addition, I have read that British, Japanese and European piston engines rotated in the same direction whilst US models rotated in the opposite direction.
I don`t know if this was true, I would think it would be dependent on engine manufacturer, rather than something as vague as country of origin.

Rolls Royce designed the Merlin (also manufactured in the US) and replaced it with the Griffon which turned in the other direction. It's very hard to generalise in things aviation as there always seems to be an inconvenient exception! The Griffon lasted longest in service when it employed the contrarotating system.

Another thought, it is supposedly a more natural instinct to break left rather than right in an emergency. Something to do with how the Brain is wired. It was thought that a port island structure would get "smacked" more than a starboard one.

Possibly. It could have depended on whether the early pioneers were left or right handed themselves, as the props were swung manually. The wrong way for an individual could be bloody dangerous. I have swung props the right way (for me) but can't claim it as being a favourite pastime!

Dreadnought · 09-25-2007, 08:42 AM

To waste an Iowa on such monstrocity.

09-25-2007, 08:42 AM	#18 (permalink)
Dreadnought *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 05-12-05 Posts: 5,242 Country:	To waste an Iowa on such monstrocity. __________________ Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure.

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