From 4 engines down to two

[Captain Canada]

I seem to spend lots of my modelling time fighting that issue.

And that's what we like about you 

Looks like the B-14.5 could start it's wing in between the two engines. You would just have to graft the inboard nacelle onto the outboard one. Maybe run a single tyre as per a B-25/26 ?

[sandiego89]

I feel prop ground clearance for our suggested B-14.5 is going to have to be looked at.  You have to make up for the loss of horsepower unless you have a different role for her carrying less weight. So you need two engines with more oompf than the 3350's, and perhaps a bigger prop.  But ground clearance was a real world issue- I'm always amazed that the inner props were only about 14 inches off the runway.   So:

-Bigger conventional prop mounted higher?
-Contra props?

Powerplant- big V or a big radial, like a 4360, but still not enough oompf?  Maybe the XR7755?
   

[Zombolt]

Something a bit Modern, but I think the B-1 would make a well off fighter body...

[kerick]

Some scale o rama with a new cockpit! Change to two engines in place of the four but in the same position.

[Captain Canada]

A couple of Napier Sabres from the new Airfix kit ?



Maybe a pair of the engines from the B-50 ?

[ChernayaAkula]

C-130 with two of the A400M's engines! 

[Captain Canada]

That's a neat idea ! A Herc would look so funny with only two engines !

[Zombolt]

Some scale o rama with a new cockpit! Change to two engines in place of the four but in the same position.

Though woudn't it just look like a stealth Tomcat?

[McColm]

That's a neat idea ! A Herc would look so funny with only two engines !

There was a line drawing of a Herc with two engines in JANES 1988 edition.

[perttime]

If there is a straight section from fuselage to engine, removing that could be a good option.
One possibility could be to remove the distance between the inner and outer engines. The remaining engine (or half inner and half outer pod) might help with making the operation neat.

[jcf]

L-400 proposal




Re: B-29
Two R-4360 from a B-50 attached to a basic B-29 airframe in place of four R-3350 drops available power from @ 8,800 hp to @ 7,000 hp.
So I think you'd need a serious airframe lightening program.

[perttime]

Re: B-29
Two R-4360 from a B-50 attached to a basic B-29 airframe in place of four R-3350 drops available power from @ 8,800 hp to @ 7,000 hp.
So I think you'd need a serious airframe lightening program.

- You drop about a tonne just from the engines. Probably a little from the nacelles too.
- What does the swap do to fuel consumption? You probably use and carry a little less?
- Lower drag from only 2 nacelles?

[eatthis]

Re: B-29
Two R-4360 from a B-50 attached to a basic B-29 airframe in place of four R-3350 drops available power from @ 8,800 hp to @ 7,000 hp.
So I think you'd need a serious airframe lightening program.

- You drop about a tonne just from the engines. Probably a little from the nacelles too.
- What does the swap do to fuel consumption? You probably use and carry a little less?
- Lower drag from only 2 nacelles?

do you get drag from nacelles with props blowing air over them?

[kerick]

Some scale o rama with a new cockpit! Change to two engines in place of the four but in the same position.

Though woudn't it just look like a stealth Tomcat?

Maybe a little Sukoi to me with a single vertical stab and almost T tail. Worth looking into........

[McColm]

I've just found out that there was a proposed twin engined Halifax, but never built. I can see this as a tailless version.