The Lawrance L-5, 5-cylinder radial engine. A very rare and relatively
unknown radial engine developed by Charles Lawrance, whose company
Lawrance Aero Engines Ltd. was purchased by Wright Aeronautical in 1923.
Lawrance then went on to develop the extremely successful Wright
Whirlwind for which was used by Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart on
their record setting long distance flights.
This specific engine is unique in that it was designed to operate
mounted vertical as a auxiliary power unit on airplanes designed to
operate from remote locations or over the ocean. A Martin PBM Mariner
used during World War Two may have used this engine to provide enough
28VDC power to start one of the main engines while at some remote South
Pacific island. Incredibly compact and smooth running, the L-5 produces
about 35 HP.
After the War, airplane enthusiasts obtained a few L-5 engines as
surplus and attempted to convert them for use on small ultralight
airplanes. There were several issues that made the conversion
problematic. The oiling system and sump were setup for vertical
operation and there was no provision for mounting and driving a
propeller (as in thrust bearings or splined prop shaft)
These issues added some complexity to the rebuild, however using a
pusher type propeller in an "airplane-style" mount and some modification
to the oiling system allowed the Aero Telemetry team to complete this
rare radial restoration in less than a month...it is most likely the
only reliable running example in the world.
Joe Bok and his team took great pride in restoring this Allison
V-1710-27 engine. This engine traces its history back to a starboard
engine mount on a Lockheed P-38 Lightning during 1943. Previously
removed from a P-38 during the war and shipped back to the United States
for overhaul on December 31st, 1943. An incredible piece of American
history that has survived the years to be brought back to life once
again.
Valve cover removed to show the cool overhead 4-valve per cylinder design. P-39 Exhaust Stacks are just for looks!
Continental R-670 Radial Engine in for top overhaul by Aero Telemetry. Built in the 1930's it was used on many training airplanes of that era, like the famous PT17 Stearman Biplane. The short shaft version was also used in many WW2 tanks and even in a US Navy Landing Craft. #aviation#radialengine#enginerun#WWII#restoration
Aero Telemetry built the Sikorsky S-38 model airplane that was used to digitally
recreate the flying sequences in the Academy Award winning film The
Aviator. The scene depicted Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes flying
with Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn. This little airplane was shot
against a green screen and digitized to simulate flying conditions over
Los Angeles at night. There are several other scenes in the movie which
include our S-38 model airplane, as well. Another interesting Hollywood
movie behind the scenes fact!
2016 Hot Rod Trophy to George Poteet and our friends on the Speed Demon
II Team. Congratulations and well done! New B/BFS record and Fastest
Speed of Bonneville Speed Week at 442 MPH.
Two-stage supercharger...fuel injected...turbocharged. No doubt one of
the most powerful radial engines ever produced, the Turbo-Compound
R-3350-93 built by the Wright Aeronautical Division produces over 3500
HP. This particular engine came from a Lockheed L-1649 Super
Constellation owned by Howard Hughes and TWA.
A great visit with the staff and volunteers of the San Diego Air &
Space Museum Restoration Shop! What an amazing group of individuals.
They really take pride in their work! Thank you for taking the time to share your stories. #aviation#history#veterans#avgeeks#SDASM
Hopefully this is NOT true. With excellent VFX houses in the UK and even
better practical effects companies worldwide, this would be an
outrageous, excessive waste of a rare historic artifact! Large scale
unmanned airplanes would be 1/10th the cost and provide better and more
reliable footage....11 Academy Awards.... Airplanes of The
Aviator...some of the best flying sequences ever put on film. Do not
plunder history for movie drivel. #SaveHistory#RareAirplane#NoWarbirdsKilledDuringFilming
“My real-world experiences as a pilot and aerospace engineer
give me a specifically unique perspective when designing unmanned air
vehicles and systems for airplanes. The really great part is being able
to truly appreciate airplanes and aircraft engine designs not only for
their historic and aesthetic value, but also as a clear manifestation of
functional art.”
— Joseph Bok, B.S. AE ’85, M.S. '99; CEO, Aero Telemetry, Inc.
Initially commissioned for a History Channel Television Show
commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the start of World War I, the
full-size replica of the Kettering Bug will now be the subject of an intense
one-hour TV documentary that will feature the various aspects of the airplanes
design, it’s secretive military history, the famous people behind the
development, and the airplane’s contribution to the advancement of early
aviation technology.
The background and technical details of the Kettering Bug
have been meticulously researched for historical accuracy and re-designed with
many of the same materials and techniques that were used to build the original.
In commemoration of the 100 year anniversary of WWI, this amazing full-size
replica is being prepared for its first flight by Joe Bok and his Aero
Telemetry Team.
Aero Telemetry was honored to have their Hughes H-1 Racer on display in the front lobby of The Academy's Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood two weeks ago. The 4 night event was a celebration of Aviation and Cinema. The first night was a presentation given by Oscar winners Craig Barron and Ben Burtt called The Illusions of Flight: Behind the Scenes of Hollywood's Aviation Classics. For those in attendence it was a packed house and an amazing presentation!
Spend an evening in Hollywood at the Academy of Motion Pictures Linwood Theater with Oscar Winners Craig Barron and Ben Burtt as they present “The Illusions of Flight: Behind the Scenes of Hollywood’s Aviation Classics” on August 14th at 7:00pm.
The presentation will feature never before seen footage of the Aero Telemetry flyable models
constructed for Academy Award winning movie The Aviator.
In addition, the event will feature Aero Telemetry's Hughes H-1 Racer Airplane as well as several other models from classic films such as the Right Stuff and Raiders of the Lost Ark which will be on display in the main lobby of the theater.
