Aircraft Pinups and Blown 4360cu. in. Radials
Pinups and Amazing Radial Engines
An Aircraft museum doesn’t have much to do with MyRideisMe.com or does it. But, pinup art on the noes of aluminum beasts that appear way too damn large to fly and a blown 4360 cu. in. radial motor are too cool to skip.
Here’s the pics, first the “Maid in the Shade” found somewhere around 42 degrees north by 9 degrees east.
Followed by the lovely “Miss Murphy”
And my favorite, the beautiful honey standing hitching a ride on “Sentimental Journey”
I don’t know much about planes, so I won’t go into that detail, but I was curious about nose art. I found some info I’ll pass on. The following info is from a blog called “Creation Robot“. There are several links to more info.
The subject matter in nose art varies but largely stayed within a few mainstay topics, namely the cartoon characters and female pin-up. The females occurred in various stages of dress, or undress, and were very popular. The style evolved and became more wild and provocative. As a result, the Army Air Force tried to restore a sense of decorum with AAF Regulation 35-22 in August 1944. The regulation didn’t prohibit nose art, but did try to, unsuccessfully, institute a “sense of decency.”
According to some accounts, the farther the planes and crew were from headquarters or from the public eye, the racier the art. For instance, nudity was more prevalent with aircraft based in the South Pacific than of those in England.
Nice. In a quick google search, this is the best site I could find for more examples of nose art: Savethegirls.org
Now for the horsepower part of the story!
Here’s a picture of a 28 cylinder, supercharged, air cooled 4-row radial engine. Who dreamed that up? Is it so far from the bench racing that happens now? But with a different purpose, make no mistake. Produced between 1944 and 1955 this 4,360 cu. in. behemoth put out nearly 1 H.P. per cubic inch. Keep in mind the notorious Chevy V8 came out in 1955 at the end of service for this baby. So why do you think they stopped at 28 cylinders? It even had a cool name, the “R-4360 Wasp Major”. I love it.
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Check out all the Pinups here MyRideisMe.com Pinups Models & Hot Rods
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How would you like to do a re-build of that puppy? Just remember in aircraft engines every single nut or bolt has to be secured in some manner (safety wire, cotter key, one time use nylon insert nut, etc.).
Nice story! I think what you experianced is a flash-back from your HOTROD previous life! The HOTROD scene was started by guys that came back from the war. They thanked their lives to these flying machines. When they came back they started to modify the cars that were around, giving them more power: The Hot rod was born! When you like these aircafts with all their details it tells that you are cut out of the same wood as the old skool Hot-rodders! (I’m planning to build an aluminium bodied rivited ROD myself.)Thank you for this story.
Just found this story Craig. These 4380 cube radials are being used in Reno Unlimited Gold Racing. Narly!
The first plane there is a B-25 Mitchell and the last one is a B-17 Flying Fortress. Not sure what the middle one is. I love old war birds. My second love behind cars. :)
Chris