Yes, he did!
We have all heard the jokes ("yada yada yada..aluminum shavings...") and we all laughed, but when you think about it, it's an awful thing.
What kind of props were used and what kind of run style?
I think the 29 used a Top Flite 9-6 on my Uncle Donnie's airplanes. Decent output but pretty much right in the ballpark with most other similar engines of the 4-2 break era. Stronger than a OS30s and a McCoy 29 plain-bearing (Red-head or Series 21), about the same as a McCoy 29RR (which is weaker than you think), less strong than a STG21/29 (which we wouldn't have had since it was far too expensive). No match for a St X29. No match for a "new" 25LA, or probably the old one either.
Bear in mind that neither of us had much idea what we were doing at the time, compared to the experts of the time (which we definitely WERE NOT). I might still have one in my giant engine tub, but I don't imagine I will be spending much time digging around in there to find it.
Brett