Pilots start own planes?

[MicroSculpt]

Just curious, did most pilots start their own planes? Or, was this something usually performed by the groundcrew and then the pilot took over?

I'm working on a set of figures starting up an SE5a. It seems like it would have been difficult for the pilot to crank the magneto and flip the switch when strapped in by a Sutton harness. Plus a couple of photos showing startups indicate the groundcrew doing it.

Anyone know what the norm was?

Tom

[wolfenbill]

Ground crews started the airplanes. Most aircraft of the period were hand propped. I don't know when electric starters became standard and common on aircraft, but it was after WWI.

It is possible. In the Leaman book on the DR.1 it shows a photo of a Lt. Werner Steinhauser swinging his own prop.

Late in WW1, I believe, the Hucks Starter was invented but wasn't used in anger. It's a truck with a geared driveshaft to turn over engines via a dog on the prop boss. It was very commonplace on english ac after the war.

Electric starting has never been very common on combat aircraft. Inertia starters, hand-turn gear, air injection, incendiary type (shotgun shell) or APU-linked starters are alternatives in varying use.

F=MA

[Machinbird]

Can anyone add information on the use of the hand cranked starting magnetos that were so popular in WW1 aircraft ?
Were they merely used to enhance the spark during start since the engine driven magnetos were being turned so slowly at that point, or did the crew pull a charge into the cylinders by propping, place the engine just past Top Dead Center, and fire a cylinder off using the starting magneto to start the engine. They were starting some rather large engines in those days, and propping one of those big props with the crankshaft located so far off the ground must have been extremely hazardous.

[Vin]

2 June 1917. Somewhere in a remote spot near the front Captain Bishop landed, removed the vickers, shot up his 'plane, re started the engine, got back in then flew home. I wonder whether he shouted "contact" as he spun the propellor.

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Machinbird:
In the case of an S.E.5/S.E.5a. You would pull the prop through and set the no.1 cylinder on top dead center, next you would fill the four priming cups with petrol on the intake manifolds, open the priming cup handles, draining the cups into the manifolds, close the handles. Turn the fuel selector to reserve (gravity feed) crack the throttle, turn ignition switch on and vigorously crank the starting magneto handle. My Father use to start his Hisso Travelair with this method.
Happy New Year,
Dan-San

[AAC Cadet Leader]

Originally Posted by Dan_San_Abbott

Machinbird:
In the case of an S.E.5/S.E.5a. You would pull the prop through and set the no.1 cylinder on top dead center, next you would fill the four priming cups with petrol on the intake manifolds, open the priming cup handles, draining the cups into the manifolds, close the handles. Turn the fuel selector to reserve (gravity feed) crack the throttle, turn ignition switch on and vigorously crank the starting magneto handle. My Father use to start his Hisso Travelair with this method.
Happy New Year,
Dan-San

...Then after he untied the tailwheel, he'd run like hell to jump into the cockpit?

[Dan_San_Abbott]

AAC Cadet Leader;
S.E.5/S.E.5a and Travelairs did not have tailwheels. When starting with this method you first remove all restraints,(tie downs and wheel chocks).
Starting with propping by yourself could be amusing to watch. More than one guy has watched his plane take off and disappear over the horizon.
Happy New Year,
Dan-San

[wulffo]

The starting procedure for a Daimler engine would be very similar to the one described by dan san. Technically the pilot could go through the whole procedure by himself and then start the engine whilst seated in his cockpit by turning the starter magnet handle. We have done a number of warm starts as well, where the engine could be strted by just using the starter magnet. Practically priming,etc was done by the groundcrew..... There is a funny anecdote of I believe Cecil Lewis chasing his plane around a field until after numerous circles a hedge put an end to the show.

[MicroSculpt]

Thanks to all for the replies! Very interesting.

I'd like to rephrase the question a bit. In the case of an RFC SE5a, would it be most typical for the pilot to be in the cockpit during startup for a mission? Or, was the aircraft 'prepared ' for the pilot who then got in and took off? I just want to get this right.

If he was typically in the cockpit, it seems that, to reach over the side of the cockpit to crank the magneto on the outside, and have his other hand on the switch on the left side of the instrument panel, the pilot would need to be unrestrained. Correct?

Would fastening the Sutton harness therefore be the last step before take off?

Sorry to be so pesky. I just want to be sure I'm technically correct on this.

Thanks.

Tom