Modelers Corner
- Thread starter sanford12
- Start date
Here's a "what is it?" for you!
Yes. AKA: Coffman Starter.
What plane?
Now while I only saw the shotgun starter operate, and didn't operate it myself, I HAVE personally started an inverted in line six cylinder "Ranger" airplane engine with an inertia starter, similar to what you'll see in this video (The engine I started was not a radial as shown in the video, but the starter on the ranger engine operated in the exact same way) And yes, I've "hand propped" several airplane engines to life as well.
This is a wiki article on the engine I cranked to life with it's inertia starter
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranger_L-440
This is a wiki article on the engine I cranked to life with it's inertia starter
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranger_L-440
My Friend, you've got me there and I'd have to google that. I did not work on military aircraft, civilian only. TBH I was completely amazed that in the 1970s, there were still enough 40 year old (1930s) civilian aircraft around for me to have had several experiences with them 
tubelectron
Super Member
And this one ?
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Lucius Mojo
Super Member
There is a kit of that Bugatti plane but is pricey!
My Friend, you've got me there and I'd have to google that. I did not work on military aircraft, civilian only. TBH I was completely amazed that in the 1970s, there were still enough 40 year old (1930s) civilian aircraft around for me to have had several experiences with them
Captain JJ England, early WW2 ace of China-Burma-India Theater.
A hint.
Nice Boeing "Peashooter!" Who restored it?Now while I only saw the shotgun starter operate, and didn't operate it myself, I HAVE personally started an inverted in line six cylinder "Ranger" airplane engine with an inertia starter, similar to what you'll see in this video (The engine I started was not a radial as shown in the video, but the starter on the ranger engine operated in the exact same way) And yes, I've "hand propped" several airplane engines to life as well.
This is a wiki article on the engine I cranked to life with it's inertia starter
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranger_L-440
Lucius Mojo
Super Member
I have found that cup hook screwed into the ceiling,along with fishing swivels, line and a hook are a great way to hang Amodel!
Lucius Mojo
Super Member
Ju-287
Well yeah, ya got me my friend, I really shoulda recognized that one
(My OS .65 AX powered RC model of a P-51 sitting on the hood of my Firebird)
And as to the Peashooter, that was a random UTube grab to show anyone whose never seen one how an inertia starter operates, I have no affiliation with that plane and don't know who restored it. The engine I operated the inertia starter on was mounted in one of these (also not my pic, a representation only) back in the late 1970s
Nice!Well yeah, ya got me my friend, I really shoulda recognized that one
(My OS .65 AX powered RC model of a P-51 sitting on the hood of my Firebird)
View attachment 3309782
And as to the Peashooter, that was a random UTube grab to show anyone whose never seen one how an inertia starter operates, I have no affiliation with that plane and don't know who restored it. The engine I operated the inertia starter on was mounted in one of these (also not my pic, a representation only) back in the late 1970s
Many folks don't know that the Bf109 had the inertial crank start. I read that they assigned the strongest men to the starters, especially during "Alarmstarts."
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tubelectron
Super Member
Oh, I'm sure I still have somewhere my tiny RC model engine COX 0.327CC - brand new, unused, just bought for the fun - exactly like this one below :
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tubelectron
Super Member
Yes @init4fun ! That's it... 
Initially, I wanted that 010 COX model, but it was not available locally at that time (think 40 years ago), so I went for the 020 (0.327CC) which was cheap and readily available, under the larger 0.8CC model.
Oh, it was just for the object, after all... I think I powered my little COX only one time with a 40% methanol gasoline (as recommended by the model shopkeeper). I certainly have somewhere the can of this gas too !
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Initially, I wanted that 010 COX model, but it was not available locally at that time (think 40 years ago), so I went for the 020 (0.327CC) which was cheap and readily available, under the larger 0.8CC model.
Oh, it was just for the object, after all... I think I powered my little COX only one time with a 40% methanol gasoline (as recommended by the model shopkeeper). I certainly have somewhere the can of this gas too !
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Here's my biggest model plane engine, I was test running it after installing new bearings;
It's a Saito 270 twin cylinder which is 2.7 cubic inches (45 CCs) and swings a 20" prop with authority. It's supposed to go into a model Piper Cub with a 10 foot wingspan, if I ever get around to getting it all together
(not to worry, it was securely bolted & clamped to the porch for the test run)
It's a Saito 270 twin cylinder which is 2.7 cubic inches (45 CCs) and swings a 20" prop with authority. It's supposed to go into a model Piper Cub with a 10 foot wingspan, if I ever get around to getting it all together
(not to worry, it was securely bolted & clamped to the porch for the test run)
Ok, since this is the modeler's thread, here's some pics of another one of my RC models for you all
This is a generic Biplane, not a copy of any full size plane, just a fun flyer for what it is. The wingspan is a bit over four feet and the engine is an OS .91 four cycle* (a bit under 16 CCs). The checkerboard pattern on the bottom is so that at distant altitudes I can see "which end is up"
A funny story about the cockpit canopy is that the original transparent plastic one finally disintegrated from 20 odd years of being splashed with fuel, these engines burp out quite a bit from their exhaust and it gets everywhere. Since the kit is long out of production a flying club friend took a clorox bleach bottle and with a bit of creative cutting and bending with heat applied I had my new canopy. Sure, it ain't transparent, but it resists the fuel just fine
* Engine Specifications;
"Displacement (in): 0.912 · Bore (in): 1.091 · Stroke (in): 0.976 · RPM range: 2000-12,000 · Output (hp @ RPM): 1.60 @ 11,000 · Weight (oz): 22.9. List price $314.99"
This is a generic Biplane, not a copy of any full size plane, just a fun flyer for what it is. The wingspan is a bit over four feet and the engine is an OS .91 four cycle* (a bit under 16 CCs). The checkerboard pattern on the bottom is so that at distant altitudes I can see "which end is up"
A funny story about the cockpit canopy is that the original transparent plastic one finally disintegrated from 20 odd years of being splashed with fuel, these engines burp out quite a bit from their exhaust and it gets everywhere. Since the kit is long out of production a flying club friend took a clorox bleach bottle and with a bit of creative cutting and bending with heat applied I had my new canopy. Sure, it ain't transparent, but it resists the fuel just fine
* Engine Specifications;
"Displacement (in): 0.912 · Bore (in): 1.091 · Stroke (in): 0.976 · RPM range: 2000-12,000 · Output (hp @ RPM): 1.60 @ 11,000 · Weight (oz): 22.9. List price $314.99"