2009 05 10 1918 WWI GNOME ROTARY AEROPLANE ENGINE STARTED

AFTER MORE THAN 80 YEARS SINCE IT LAST RAN ANDREWK (ASSISTED BY GREGC); STARTED HIS 160 H.P. GNOME ROTARY AEROPLANE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WILL POWER THE NIEUPORT 28 NOW BEING RESTORED BY ANDREW. ALL WERE WONDERING IF IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO START ... IT WAS NOT ... IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP IT AFTER EACH OF THE SIX START UPS. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AROSE AND THE ENGINE WOULDN'T STOP UNTIL THE FUEL WAS CUT OFF. A SWITCH IS SUSPECT. TROUBLESHOOTING CONTINUES. FOR FURTHER EXPLANATION SEE -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk9Dl6RZxmQ

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• NIUPORT
• 28
• WWI
• GNOME
• ROTARY
• AEROPLANE
• ENGINE
• BIPLANE
• FIGHTER
• CULPEPER
• VA
• AIRPORT

[eplefox1]

How does the ignition system works? i gues there is no wiers to the cylinders. 

[edwinhijmans]

It looks like a radial engine, but is different. A rotary engine has the cylinders rotating around the crankshaft, which stands still. The propellor is simply bolted on the engine. A radial engine has fixed cylinders and a rotating crankshaft.

Gnome rotary engines were widely used in World War I on fighter planes, built by Gnome Rhone factory and licencees on both sides of the conflict.

[jdos2]

Castor oil is used in engines such as these as doesn't get diluted by the fuel/air mixture- it is able to lubricate as it is injected into the engine. It LEAVES the engine and blows EVERYWHERE, and was a reason for the goggles and long scarves of early aviators (had to wipe the face clean!)

I love when the engine starts here the first time and the fellow loses his hat. These engines were usually full throttle, all the time.

[sprintfan1]

What was the shutdown problem? It says above a switch was suspect.. Or was it wired wrong?To kill a magneto fired motor, you ground the magneto out. Easy to have reversed, and also hard on the switch.

[sprintfan1]

They didn't "leak" oil, per se. They utilized a "total loss" oiling system, as did many early engines. And Castor oil was the lubrication of choice in those days for many engines.



[smilingbeast]

Nice hairdo, dude! ;)

[rseeton]

@Billyking1313

They used castor oil in these engines instead of other motor oil. I understand pilots would be coated with the stuff after some flights, and it could have some unhappy influence on their bowels if too much made its way into the mouth.

[rseeton]

@Billyking1313

They used castor oil in these engines instead of other motor oil. I understand pilots would be coated with the stuff after some flights, and it could have some unhappy influence on their bowels if too much made its way into the mouth.

[Billyking1313]

Hi there - what’s the Castor Oil used for! Or have I misunderstood

[racinglad]

I just can´t get enough of 1:31

[hellraised187]

@eplefox1 I think they have a magneto ignition system which is attached to the crankcase

[CobraRunescape]

@946HZJ It is called a gnome rotary but i think people are confusing it with a wankle rotary...