Hi.
A local chap has this compressor in his possession and was asking if I knew what it would have been fitted to. Naturally all I could tell him was that it isn`t for a Merlin!
It is made by Rotherhams, Coventry, and the legend plate states “fill with non-freezing gun oil before each flight”. It has A.I.D. insp. stamps on it.
I am aware that Kestrel-powered aircraft had air systems, but I also know that at least some had the WW2 type BTH compressor, this unit certainly looks well pre WW2 to me and possibly WW1.
The bore would be about 1″ dia.
Any ideas anyone?
Pete
By: MerlinPete - 29th July 2009 at 16:51
Cheers, that all makes sense.
The smaller cylinder is indeed a lubricant reservoir, containing a wick.
Pete
By: John Aeroclub - 29th July 2009 at 09:53
It is a compressor, being used to provide the air pressurisation to move the fuel from the tank to the engine mostly on Rotary engines. One of the mounting bolts passes through the connection on the “cylinder” head on to sheet metal straps. The smaller forwards cylinder with a screw cap is (I believe) a lubricant reservoir.
I’d take a wild guess and say it is of the type most often found fitted to Avro 504’s. Another common version of this pump does not have the lubricant cylinder.
John
By: MerlinPete - 28th July 2009 at 22:23
Many thanks John
That system of mounting explains the lack of a flange behind the drive shaft.
I would not have been able to guess at a fuel pump as I would have assumed they were always powered by the engine!
Pete
By: John Aeroclub - 26th July 2009 at 23:11
It appears to be a regular Rotherham pump used on many WW.1 aeroplane fuel systems. Pity the original small wooden prop is missing. Usually mounted on a cabane strut or u/c strut.
John
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July 26, 2009 at 9:07 pm