The RED V12 engine looks great for a replica Spitfire
Apparently Red is working on high altitude applications, in that regard say “to achieve optimal engine configuration for a specific installation, close cooperation with the airframe manufacture is necessary”
The website shows a Predator UAV under applications, and its true that the Army version used a Thielert – which is now a Chinese owned product. The Yak 52 prototype is interesting too, although its a hard to view that as a potential high volume application.
Refitting a new engine to a SEP is very hard. It should be much easier for MEPs where the nacelles have no other function than carry the engine and prop. A Cessna 421 with this engine would be nice.
I haven’t read about altitude performance but I assume it won’t be very good with this engine.
Wondering if SMA are going anywhere?
And in reply to an earlier (and very old post) I flew our C182 SMA at full throttle all the time from ‘clear take-off’ until approaching the circuit at the end. Bit weird to start with, but you get used to it! :-)
This just received in response to my question about the SR460 (this is the IO540 replacement):
From: Thierry Saint Loup [mailto:**********************@smaengine.com]
Sent: 30 August 2017 16:00
To: ‘Sam Rutherford’
Subject: RE: SR460
Mr. Rutherford,
I’m glad you got to enjoy flying behind our SR305 engine.
The second generation of our SR460 will be running on a test bench this fall and a flightworthy configuration will be flying on OEM aircraft in 2018.
To be able to install this engine on a Saratoga, the engine will have to be certified and an STC developed for the aircraft. I don’t foresee this being completed before 2019 at the earliest.
Sincerely,
Thierry SAINT LOUP
