exactor controls

I think the Handley Page Hampden also used them, probably the Hereford too.

All on Exactors

7Arial6black

Exactors were used on Short S25 Sandringhams, that is Sunderland Mk V conversions, for throttle, RPM (pitch) and miixture. There were some exceptions the Sandringhams EX BOAC operated by Qantas had cable operated mixture controls.

The Exactor mixture controls used red and green lights to indicated Auto Lean and Auto Rich positions. Full Rich and Idle Cut-off were at opposit extremeities of lever movement.

The Exactors gave a lot of problems with creep of control lever positions in cruise. This required “priming” before descent, ie full throttle, Full Rich and minimum RPM.

The Ansett operated boats, VH-BRF (now in the Week’s collection and VH-BRC in the Southamton museam, were modified to use B24 electric propeller governor heads and the Exactor pistons were fitted with O ring seals and used DTD 585 fluid. This overcame many of the Exactor problems.

There is some information on Exactors in Air Pub.3042A.Section 4 Chapter 4.

Frank Shipway
Australia

I believe that the ex Edward Hulton Sandringham/Sunderland that is now in Florida with Kermit Weeks was the last a/c in service anywhere that still used Exactor hydraulic throttle controls.
I seem to remember that some Catalina’s used the system, perhaps those built for Coastal Command, but I may be wrong.

many thanks

Hi all,
Yeah your’e right I knew the whirlwind had them :D, but don’t know which others, I have obtained a flight engineer (E) standard notes 1942 and the subjects include exactor / graviner equipment & kestrel engines.
Cheers
Jerry

They were used on Whitleys too. I am on the lookout for a set – have you come across any?

Hi All,
anyone know how common ‘ exactor ‘ controls were on WW2 a/c ?
cheers
Jerry

Jerry,

The Whirlwind (you knew that already) and the Stirling (Sunderland too then?) used them as far as I know. They were notoriously unreliable and the throttles tenede to creep back at first. Bit unnervering when you are taking off with a full load I think.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Cees