Conroy Tri-Turbo-Three

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The Conroy Tri-Turbo-Three was a Douglas DC-3 fitted with three Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 engines by Conroy Aircraft; the third engine was mounted on the nose of the aircraft. It first flew on November 2, 1977.[1] The cruise speed of the aircraft was increased to 230 miles per hour (370 km/h). The engine mounted on the nose could be shut off, decreasing the speed to 180 miles per hour (290 km/h) and increasing the range of the aircraft. It was used by Polair and Maritime Patrol And Rescue. It was fitted with skis for use in Polar regions and flew in the North Pole region out of Resolute Bay Canada. It was uniquely suited for flying long distances and landing on rough, unprepared snow runways. It provided support to the first non-government expeditions to Mount Vinson in Antarctica, and was instrumental in opening up the interior of Antarctica to private expeditions and tourism.[1] In early May 1986 workers at the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport accidentally started a fire in the cockpit of the aircraft, which destroyed the cockpit. A second Tri-Turbo-Three was then manufactured out of the wreckage of the old plane and a different airframe.

Specifications

Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Propeller Airliners[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 3
  • Capacity: 12,000 lb (5,443 kg) cargo
  • Wingspan: 95 ft (29 m)
  • Height: 18 ft 3 in (5.56 m)
  • Wing area: 987 sq ft (91.7 m2)
  • Max takeoff weight: 29,000 lb (13,154 kg) (PT6A-41)[3]
  • Powerplant: 3 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 turboprops, 1,174 shp (875 kW) (ehp) each

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 230 mph (200 kn; 370 km/h) (three engines) - 180 mph (160 kn; 290 km/h) (one engine stopped)
  • Range: 2,700 mi (2,346 nmi; 4,345 km)

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Air International November 1978, p. 252.
  2. ↑ Gunston 1980, p. 256.
  3. ↑ "15-bladed DC-3". Flight International, 23 September 1978, p. 1155.

External links


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