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In doing some basic research, I have concluded that all WW II aircraft equipped with turbochargers also used mechanical driven centrifugal superchargers.

These include the P-38, P-47, B-17, B-24, B-29, etc.

Is this correct, and are there any exceptions where the engine lacked a mechanical supercharger and only used the turbocharger for boost?

Schematic diagram of turbosupercharged power plant

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  • $\begingroup$ Original poster, if you are able to come up with a good answer to this question, please share it with us. $\endgroup$
    – quiet flyer
    Sep 29, 2019 at 15:18
  • $\begingroup$ This website gives some hints as to why a gear-driven supercharger would normally be used in addition to a turbosupercharger: rwebs.net/avhistory/opsman/geturbo/geturbo.htm $\endgroup$
    – quiet flyer
    Sep 29, 2019 at 15:55
  • $\begingroup$ Gear/belt driven supercharger runs at constant speed. I don't think the compressor works well at all altitudes if it has a fixed speed. For a exhaust-driven turbo charger at least you can adjust the waste gate valve. $\endgroup$
    – user3528438
    Sep 12, 2022 at 11:25

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As is suggested in the original question, the answer appears to be "no". This website gives some hints as to why a gear-driven supercharger would normally be used in addition to a turbosupercharger: http://www.rwebs.net/avhistory/opsman/geturbo/geturbo.htm

(Though the link may raise more questions than it answers: it doesn't make it obvious why a turbosupercharger usually injects air upstream of the carburetor, or why a gear-driven supercharger usually injects air downstream of the carburetor, or why only the latter prevents issues with valve cooling.)

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