British starter motor – what engine/aircraft?

I am pretty certain this is the “Special” starter as fitted to W3185….surprised Mark 12 didnt recognise it!

Andy, the owner says: if you put that on paper, signed with your name (as an expert in all things W3185), he would consider putting the thing on ebay, and sharing the money with you.

Hercules Engines Rotax Direct Electric Starter with Hand Crank, Types C1231 & C1247/2.
Fitted to Hercules VI to XX, 100, 101, 608, 130, 630, 650, 670, 230, 730 and 750.
Depending on the installation the hand crank could be arranged in 15 degree stages.

Hercules 120, 260 and 760 used a different starter.

Thanks a lot

It turns a flwheel which engages the engine with a clutch when the starter is pushed I think.

What was the purpose of the handcrank, if it’s not a silly question ? I can’t imagine turning an engine that size quickly enough by hand to start it ?

Hercules Engines Rotax Direct Electric Starter with Hand Crank, Types C1231 & C1247/2.
Fitted to Hercules VI to XX, 100, 101, 608, 130, 630, 650, 670, 230, 730 and 750.
Depending on the installation the hand crank could be arranged in 15 degree stages.

Hercules 120, 260 and 760 used a different starter.

The Hercules VI and XVI A.P. lists a Rotax C1231 starter.

But it is a combined electrical/hand starting type.

The starter in the picture appears to be a combined hand/elec type, the lug on the side is similiar to the hand crank on a Merlin.

Are you sure about that? I always thought those were Merlin-powered. At least those of No. 1586 (SD) (Polish) Flight were. But then, I was never good on Halifaxes.

I & II Merlins, III etc(?) Hercules. Lots of non SD aircraft were, I thought drafted in to the airdrop – but I’m no expert. Guess we need someone who is!

(Also, the Lancaster B.II, Wellington, and Stirling were all Hercules powered, and I’d guess a few ended up in Poland one way or another…)

The Hercules VI and XVI A.P. lists a Rotax C1231 starter.

But it is a combined electrical/hand starting type.

Some were in Halifaxes shot down dropping supplies to the Warsaw uprising…

Are you sure about that? I always thought those were Merlin-powered. At least those of No. 1586 (SD) (Polish) Flight were. But then, I was never good on Halifaxes.

Thanks!
Which leads to the inevitable question how many Hercules engines were lost over Poland?

Some were in Halifaxes shot down dropping supplies to the Warsaw uprising…

Looks like Bristol Hercules starter.

Thanks!
Which leads to the inevitable question how many Hercules engines were lost over Poland?

Looks like Bristol Hercules starter.

37F is Aero Engine Accessories – Combined Hand and Electric Starters.

One of the pictures shows the casing as stamped…C3001, which is a Rotax Eclipse type.

These are decribed in A.P.1181, Volume 3, Part 1C, Section 9.

No idea what they were fitted to but the above A.P. ought to give some help.

A short while back there was a thread on here with aircraft section numbers listed, 27F will identify the type, (incidentally, the number on the case is 37F) Although I believe all aircraft section ref’s started with number 26. Could it be ground support equipment ?

Hello Andy – welcome to the forum.

It looks odd Michael – I have never seen one like that before. Hopefully one of the bigger brains on the forum will know.

“Special” starter

I am pretty certain this is the “Special” starter as fitted to W3185….surprised Mark 12 didnt recognise it! :dev2: Sorry voytech, I dunno really! Andy