Why put a state-of-the-art, modern Tanis engine preheater on a Warbird?
Increased safety of operation and reduced operating costs!
The Pratt & Whitney R-1340 series, super charged 9 cylinder radial engine is capable of producing upwards to 600 horse power, sipping just over 30 gph in cruise.
Prairie Air is performing the installation of a Tanis Preheat System on fresh overhaul of a 1340 on a T-6G.
The AT-6 Texan was used as a single engine advanced trainer (AT) during World War II. The ‘G’ designation means it had additional enhancements such as a full time hydraulic system, and a steerable tail wheel.
The T-6 has been used in various movies such as Tora! Tora! Tora!, A Bridge Too Far and The Final Countdown.
The T-6G was used in limited light attack roles, fitted machine guns, rockets and bombs.
The T-6 is commonly powered by the Pratt & Whitney R-1340 series, super charged 9 cylinder radial engine capable of producing upwards to 600 horse power burning 80 octane avgas at just over 30 gph in cruise.
Some private operators provide providing rides to interested people for a price that usually covers operating expenses.
However, since most AT-6 aircraft are not revenue producers (at best revenues cover expenses) the air-frames and power plants require more care than the average aircraft. As an example the warm and run-up time can be lengthy, well over 30 minutes.
The consensus seems to be that depending upon how cold the OAT, a PW R-1340 could burn anywhere from 50 to 80 gallons for warm up, taxi and takeoff. With current avgas prices running between 4.58 and 7.10 $/gallon, that’s a lot not to mention reserves put aside for the extended run-time.
As you can see from these photos, this team is wisely installing Tanis Aircraft Preheat Kit. That way when the engine starts in summer like conditions, minimizing run-up and launch times Saving gas and time!
Tanis piston engine preheat systems are well-known, but we provide state-of-the art turbine and radial engine preheat systems as well.
Warm up time will be minimized, and engine run-up times will therefore be reduced for the same flight.
