I was a Lockheed P2V-5 & -7 Crw Chief for an airtanker operator, and have an SIC type in the plane. Thae Forest Service has tried to do away with radial engined airplanes, but they're just too hard to beat, and they don't have anything to replace them anyway.

BTW, the radial engine parts are not difficult to acquire, R-3350's anyway. We had a much harder time tracking down Westinghouse J-34 Turbojet parts. Big radials are fun.

Here's another thread which we discussed them: http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/ha...vs-piston.html

Stonefly