RARE WARBIRD 1945 FR-1 FIREBALL

[spacegrrrl]

Re: RARE WARBIRD 1945 FR-1 FIREBALL

My great uncle used to fly Ryan Fireballs. There was one down at Chino, and I guess there was another in San Diego M. of. Flight before the fire that consumed most of the collection.

My uncle said the fireball was scary to fly. If Avgas wound up in the JET A tank, well, you had a big fireball. Sort of a cool plane, but I wouldn't want to fly in one.

Will

Actually, I was under the impression when operational the Fireball jet engine was modified to operate on the same fuel as the recip engine.

Cool airplane. I also hear the Fireball pilots liked to fly up next to folks, shut down the recip and feather the prop then fly off on the jet!

I'd love to see Chino's example in the air!!

Spacegrrrl

[mgbf4u]

Re: RARE WARBIRD 1945 FR-1 FIREBALL

I could be wrong, probably am, but doesn't the Planes of Fame in Chino, CA have a Ryan Fireball in their collection?

Gary

That's what I remember from my 2009 trip to Chino. Now if I could find those pictures.

[Trucker17]

Re: RARE WARBIRD 1945 FR-1 FIREBALL

Actually, I was under the impression when operational the Fireball jet engine was modified to operate on the same fuel as the recip engine.

Cool airplane. I also hear the Fireball pilots liked to fly up next to folks, shut down the recip and feather the prop then fly off on the jet!

I'd love to see Chino's example in the air!!

Spacegrrrl

Chinos fireball is currently being restore....I will have to ask Ed if it is being restored to flying condition.....We have many rare birds here at the museum.....Including the B-17G known as Swamp Ghost, Sadly she will never fly again due to the stress.....Here is also pict of our N9M flying wing....One of only two in existance.....Other is N1M at smithsonian

[Trucker17]

Re: RARE WARBIRD 1945 FR-1 FIREBALL

That's what I remember from my 2009 trip to Chino. Now if I could find those pictures.

Yes gary they do...Its been going through restoration....Here are the pict we have for now of her...

[Trucker17]

Re: RARE WARBIRD 1945 FR-1 FIREBALL

Here are some picts of the fireball, plus some other rare birds in chinos collection.....

[steve D]

Re: RARE WARBIRD 1945 FR-1 FIREBALL

Trucker17, with all do respect when you answered Gary's question unfortunately he is no longer with us.
May he rest in peace.

According to wiki the "static resto" was done in 09 so why is it being done again?
I don't think that it will ever fly again if I remember right something about the jet not being able to be rebuilt.
Over to the experts.

[Leo]

Re: RARE WARBIRD 1945 FR-1 FIREBALL

There used to be a Dark Shark in the storage yard at Chino, I'm thinking about 1979-80. Is that POF or someone elses?

[Chad Veich]

Re: RARE WARBIRD 1945 FR-1 FIREBALL

There used to be a Dark Shark in the storage yard at Chino, I'm thinking about 1979-80. Is that POF or someone elses?

This was not a Dark Shark but rather a Douglas Skyshark which is now with the Maszula (sp?) brothers in Idaho and statically restored.

[Leo]

Re: RARE WARBIRD 1945 FR-1 FIREBALL

I realized the OOPS last night...
No cookie for me.

[Trucker17]

Re: RARE WARBIRD 1945 FR-1 FIREBALL

Trucker17, with all do respect when you answered Gary's question unfortunately he is no longer with us.
May he rest in peace.

According to wiki the "static resto" was done in 09 so why is it being done again?
I don't think that it will ever fly again if I remember right something about the jet not being able to be rebuilt.
Over to the experts.

Chino had found a jet engine still created up....They are looking at the possibility of putting her back into the air....Stress tests will tell if it will be feasable to do....
Personally i hope she does fly again...Hate seeing her grounded....

[Chad Veich]

Re: RARE WARBIRD 1945 FR-1 FIREBALL

Chino had found a jet engine still created up....They are looking at the possibility of putting her back into the air....Stress tests will tell if it will be feasable to do....
Personally i hope she does fly again...Hate seeing her grounded....

This is spectacular news! I would love to see the Fireball airworthy.

[spacegrrrl]

Re: RARE WARBIRD 1945 FR-1 FIREBALL

The thing about putting the Fireball back in the are I think you could do it without the jet engine. I thought it could fly on the recip.

As for the turbine variant of the A-4 I thought failed because the engine was a prototype and never was sorted out. For that you would think it could be refitted with something current and proven and be put back in the air.

Spacegrrrl

[Trucker17]

Re: RARE WARBIRD 1945 FR-1 FIREBALL

The thing about putting the Fireball back in the are I think you could do it without the jet engine. I thought it could fly on the recip.

As for the turbine variant of the A-4 I thought failed because the engine was a prototype and never was sorted out. For that you would think it could be refitted with something current and proven and be put back in the air.

Spacegrrrl

It can spacegrrl....But chino will only restore to flying condition if the aircraft can be restored to its original condition, which in the case of the fireball, it would need both engines operational....

[Chad Veich]

Re: RARE WARBIRD 1945 FR-1 FIREBALL

I'm sure Chino would want the Fireball to be authentic with the jet engine installed. But the Fireball will operate on just the recip up front so imagine how much you could "baby" the jet. I think the airplane is capable of getting around the patch on just the jet as well so the safety aspect of it being a twin is pretty nice as well. Seeing the thing in the air with the P-59 on its wing would be an unbelievable sight.

Regarding the Skyshark, I think the big issue with it during development was the gear box more than the engine itself. If it were to be rebuilt today with a modern engine it would probably have to be done without the contra-prop installation. Of course anything is achievable with enough cubic dollars but I don't see spending millions to end up with an airplane worth only a fraction of that.

[Leo]

Re: RARE WARBIRD 1945 FR-1 FIREBALL

A lot of experimental aircraft in the late 40's-early 50's were hampered by engine or propeller development or both. Some really interesting designs never got to show their potential because a promised powerplant or system either never worked out or took so long to make useable that technology passed the design by.