Wheel. FE2b or not FE2b that is the question.

Bristol wheel

Bob T,

The lugs around the circumference of the wheel (that held down the doped canvas covers) and the concentric cross section of the wheel (two convex planes of spokes) mark it as a Bristol manufactured wheel, from what I can figure out in the world of wheels 1918 – 1935. If the axle grease nipple is a teclamit type (engages with grease gun) then that is another definite Bristol feature, not sure when teclamit greasing systems came in, but certainly a feature of the Bristol Bulldog from late twenties.

I think that the solid axle with two external bearings is from a later adaptation of the wheel for something else, a gentleman’s wheelbarrow, perhaps the tea trolley at Wimbledon in 1923.

The reported size of rim seems small – 13 inches. I figure that aeroplanes had to taxy over the clods and mud of grass airfields and it seems some consensus formed between 16 and 19 inch wheel rims, from what I can make out. For some reason (sensible) Bristol Bulldog (and Palmer) wheels are reported in metric dimensions, say 700mm (tyre OD) X 100mm (tyre width).

Aircraft clocks of this forum has been helpful in furnishing plans for 700 X 100 type wheels ‘standard’ for many late WW1 aeroplanes which make sense of all the photos that you see from this time period. These standard wheels are eccentric in cross section, flat on the inside plane and convex on the outside plane, which is why I am confident that you have a Bristol type wheel.

Bristol Scout? Bristol Badminton ?

Also, why does the forum spellcheck put the red worm of doom under the word “aeroplane” ? Do you want me to write airplane ? I think an aeroplane won the Schneider Trophy in 1931, not an airplane ! It also red worms “tyre”, which is tyring. Still, with 280 million folk with AR 15 semi automatics to back ’em up I will not argue with the use of airplane and yes they did make a better Merlin….