Engine Components only

http://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/hucknall/End-of-an-era-at.3901590.jp

http://www.cpmg-architects.com/html/projects/rollsroyce_hucknall.htm

Wow, as an ex Rolls-Royce employee who left in 2005, that’s certainly news to me!:eek: The mere mention of Hucknall had always just been inexticably linked with engine testing. Interesting reading there, thanks!

Wasn’t there a tunnel/cave uncovered a few years back, which contained the remains of many V1 flying bombs & V2 rockets, perhaps this is where a lot of the stuff that is appearing on ebay etc, has come from ?.

Bob T.

From my experience, based on the location of the sellers, much of the eBay (eBay.de) V1 engine parts appear to be from three main locations in Germany:
1. The tunnel complex at Mittelbau-Dora just outside Nordhausen.
2. Peenmunde test site.
3. One of the Reichenberg factories.

I have collected many Argus engine parts over the years, both from the above sources in Germany as well as from France, Belgium and England.
The French/Belgian parts have mainly been ground equipment associated with the V1 bomb preparation and launching.
The English-sourced parts have, according to the sellers, all been from V1 bomb-sites.

Having also collected a huge amount of wartime manufacturing documentation and manufacturing drawings on the Argus engine I have compared these with the parts received and have no doubt to believe that the parts are not genuine. This, IMO, is also confirmed by the extremely high quality of the diecast Klappenregister parts, fuel nozzles and other fuel system components.

It’s been interesting from an engineering perspective to collect these parts. For example, there are many manufacturing variations in the fuel nozzles. The Peenemunde and English-sourced fuel nozzles I have seen so far have all been made out of brass, i.e. from one of the “non-strategic materials” usually associated with the construction of the V1 bomb. Early versions also have very intricate spring return and shuttle mechanisms whilst later Schlick-types are far simpler with no moving parts. The Reichenberg factory-sourced Schlick-type nozzles have, on the other hand, been made from “aircraft-grade” alloy which, in typical German aircraft building fashion, have been anodized.

Back to Fournier Boy’s original post – let me know what information you require and I’ll see if I can help.:)

Mentioned on here only a couple of months ago here:
http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?p=1813195&highlight=glatton#post1813195

Seen quite a few photos over the years of her visit to Knettishall.

Cannot remember where I read it but I think she also visited Horsham.

One caught on camera on the way down.

Coming down near Drury Lane, if I recall correctly.

Also, I can’t remember where I read it, but I’m sure that the glow from the pulsejet was not as easily seen as might be expected. I think one had to be more or less to be directly behind it for it to be seen from any significant distance.

A country, naturlig, in disbelief today. A truly tragic event of unimaginable scale and one which loses this fantastic country of its innocence and so many innocents. Lest we forget…

Hello yes I have a chance to go see a V1 rocket engine maybe for sale, I do not know much about them at all, in regards to markings,stampings, makers label, data plates or anything? I believe Ford reproduced some ? if anyone has any info would appreciate prior to visiting this thing, actually any value would help too. really don ‘t know what it would be worth to purchase, but would be neat to own, thank you Darrell

Hi Bolyman,

I studied quite a few examples intensely for a year or so a while back to get enough data to build one of my own. In the process of tooling up for that right now.

Ford certainly did reproduce a few of their own for the Loon. Planes of Fame have refurbed one of those and have it running in Chino (see Youtube for some good footage).

Absolutely no idea what the purchase price would be for one. However, I did see bits of one on the Miltrade? website last week – the klappenregister alone, which was in quite poor nick was being sold for £1500.

I have never seen any labels or data plates on the ones I’ve studied in Germany, France and the UK. Cost reduction was certainly top of the agenda when these things were made, and I guess they weren’t really required for in-service inspection purposes! Maybe some VW (Volkswagen) stamps on the front-end components – to be honest I don’t know.

I guess it’s just one of those things that you will know when you see it if it is genuine. What I would say, though, is:
1. Have a look on the internet at some photos (I have loads in you need to look at any specifics) to see the line-up of welds on the pipe. These are staggered and usually at distinct locations on the pipe although I seem to recall that they are slightly different on the Ford version. The welds are also pretty “lumpy” on the German versions.
2. The thickness of the pipe material (mild steel) is something I would also check – should be 2.5mm at the working end.
3. Although quite easily changed, if the original spark plug is still there then it should be a Bosch W145T1 (as fitted to many period VW cars).

If you are seriously looking at buying to get this thing running, then I would certainly check out the condition of the spring steel valves and the intricate die-cast alloy grid. Valve discolouration and tip wear (fretted, broken springs) would be a sure sign of some use and would maybe point towards it being one of the American test engines. Remember these things were lifed for only 20-30 minutes! Also, unless stored in dry conditions over the passed 60 odd years, these items will probably show some sign of decay. I guess you should be prepared to do some significant refurb on these!

The guys at Planes of Fame would be the best people to talk to as they have refurbed their Ford one “from the bottom up”.

Btw, have you seen the latest Youtube footage of Rob Maddox running his own version of the V-1 Argus?:D:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3pOyWLgasg&feature=feedwll
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HC6LRYy-Cg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFj9dGZF_zc

Good luck!!!!