Yes, a brilliant video indeed and I do like the idea of electric start, what kind of motor is capable of turning the mighty Avon to accomplish this feat? I look forward to your updates and with Avpin getting scarcer and also the cost involved, this is the way forward.

I’ve managed to get hold of the proper Avon starter motors, and motor control panel. so the motors simply bolt straight on, in exchange for the Avpin starter! Simples!

I believe the Comet airliner used this electric-start system on it’s Avons! 😎

Some early industrial Avon, and Olympus engines also used the same motor!

Check: http://xs458starter.posterous.com/ for information on the conversion project.

Cheers, Scott.

😀 Great work and video,thats what you call close up videoing 🙂

Thanks.. I’ve been trying to gather more clips like those, I’ll be compiling another video fairly soon of a typical day at Cranfield, POV style!

If you need any parts; relays, motors, switches, pumps and so on, do let me know, and come for a rummage!
Bruce

Bruce, that’s very kind, thank you…. It’s always good to know where some parts are!! 😀

I bet it feels fantastic to be part of the groundcrew associated with this beautiful aircraft?

We enjoy every minute of it!! 😀

Thanks…

IMHO XS458 is one of the last remaining, shining examples of this countries engineering at it’s finest.

Long may her engines roar. As long as she breathes, the boy in me will never die.

😀 Thanks!

Please excuse my ignorance, but why ‘the last ever’? :confused:

We are converting the engines to start form Electric motors, so the Avpin system will be removed. But we are doing it in a careful manner, so the aircraft could one-day be returned to Avpin, but it’s a big task!

So the words “Last Ever” may not be 100% accurate, as I cannot see the future, but they are the most probable words.

The cost of starting each engine will drip form around £100.00 down to less than £1.00 – this is more reason to say Last Ever Avpin Start! 😉

Cheers, Scott.