| Turbo-Three | |
|---|---|
 Super Turbo-Three | |
| General information | |
| Type | Airliner |
| Manufacturer | Conroy Aircraft |
| Number built | 2 |
| History | |
| First flight | May 13, 1969 |
| Retired | February 24, 1984 |
| Developed from | Douglas DC-3 |
| Developed into | Conroy Tri-Turbo-Three |
TheConroy Turbo-Three was a series of twoDouglas DC-3s modified withturboprop engines byConroy Aircraft. The first conversion first flew on May 13, 1969. TwoRolls-Royce Dart Mk. 510 engines from a crashedVickers Viscount previously operated byUnited Airlines were used to replace the originalPratt & Whitneyradial engines. Because the new turboprops were much lighter than the radial engines, they had to be mounted further forward to maintain the aircraft's center of gravity.[1] The replacement engines increased the aircraft's cruising speed from 170 mph to 215 mph. The prototype was later converted into theConroy Tri-Turbo-Three.
The second conversion was called theSuper Turbo-Three because it was converted from a surplusSuper DC-3. Unlike the first conversion, the Dart engines were mounted in the rear part of the engine nacelle. Due to the small diameter of the Viscount propellers, airflow was restricted by the bulky nacelles and landing gear fairings. This caused the takeoff distance to be 6000 feet, making it unappealing as a commuter aircraft. The aircraft ended up parked atGroton-New London Airport inGroton, Connecticut where on February 19, 1984 its cockpit was hit by a wing from aTransamerica AirlinesLockheed L-100 Hercules.[2]
A similar conversion had been performed forBritish European Airways (BEA) in the 1940s when a Dakota was converted to Dart power in order to obtain turboprop experience prior to the introduction of the Viscount.[citation needed]
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