Mighty Atom model airplane engine 1934

This little engine is considered by some to be one of the ten finest ignition engines ever made. Its design was commissioned in 1939 by the Polk Brothers (then and for years to come, one of the bigest names in model aviation supplies and promotion) and executed by Ray Arden (who would later father the glow plug). Manufactured by "Microdyne Engines" NY, the engine was unusual for it's small size at the time of its inception. A patent application for the design (#115,974) was lodged on May 13, 1939. The original "Mighty Atom" contained several innovative features such as: front rotary intake from a fixed fuel jet combined with a variable air supply; bypass via a piston valve; ball and socket little end, and the nicest snap-action timer you've ever seen. All this at a weight equal to the coil it would need to run it!

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Ray
• Arden
• mighty
• atom
• model
• airplane
• engine
• glow
• plug
• Microdyne
• Engines

[Gruntol5]

What a bunch of bizarre comments! Let alone spelling. Were you drunk?

[pdmarsh5466]

I think the Brown Jr. is recognized as the first model airplane engine, but I could be mistaken.

[djcahill4]

I believe there were handmade model aero engines very early on. Arden engines date from 1909 and possibly before.

[dtr125er]

that poor bastard got taken out by that plane at 1:18 AHAHAHAHAHA!

[gertnood]

But the engines in the middle are not Atoms! Nothing in the middle has anything to do with them.. the assembly shots are much larger engines. So, what is this about?

[poprock4me]

ETO BA ANG KAUNA UNAHANG RC MOTOR ?

[shimon174b]

Great video. Many thanks!!!

[frbe0101]

Is this the ancestor of all model airplane glow engines?