Doc’s Friends reported on Friday that their restoration team working to return the Boeing B-29 Superfortress known as “Doc” to flying condition is making the final push to get the aircraft ready for the FAA inspection.
They recently collaborated with Pedron Aircraft Works of Denton, Texas, to run the dynamic propeller balance on each of the World War II bomber’s four, 16 1/2 foot diameter Hamilton-Standard propellers. The sophisticated calibration technique uses lasers to analyze the swing of the propeller under power, allowing the engineers to more evenly adjust the weight distribution of the blades so that the entire assembly rotates more smoothly.
This can make a huge difference in both efficiency, but more importantly in parts wear and therefore safety, in much the same way that balancing automobile tires is an essential element of car maintenance.
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Photo by Doc’s Friends
