Engine starting

se5a12 · 30 March 2006, 01:26 AM

Has anyone any idea how they started the engine on a Lohner L or Hansa CC flyingboat? It appears that the engines were the same as fighters that required the prop to be thrown by hand but the engine on these is too high up and I don't think anyone balanced on the hull of the plane?

30 March 2006, 06:26 AM

Could they have had inertia starters cranked up by hand?

Troy Raines · 30 March 2006, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by se5a12

Has anyone any idea how they started the engine on a Lohner L or Hansa CC flyingboat? It appears that the engines were the same as fighters that required the prop to be thrown by hand but the engine on these is too high up and I don't think anyone balanced on the hull of the plane?

se5a12,
I'm not that familiar with these aircraft but I believe if you look closely at pictures you'll see a "Z" shaped handle on the front of the engine nacelle. I believe that to be a "starter" or "crank" handle. I'd rather leave exactly how it works to more knowledgeable people, but I can offer further imput if no one else comes forward.

T-roy

Rbailey · 30 March 2006, 03:03 PM

There are clear pictures of French machines with similar configuration that show what appears to be a hand crank on the front of the engine, just as in old automobiles, but I would think that direct cranking would be pretty difficult. The same question holds for some of the large multi-engine machines where the engines seem to be out of reach from the ground.

Ransom E. Olds · 31 March 2006, 08:01 AM

I was hoping someone who actually knew what he was talking about would answer this one, but I'll take a stab. The engine was started by use of a starting magneto in the cockpit, with the engine primed and the propeller stationary. I'm not certain if it was preferable, or necessary, to have a specific cylinder in the "just past top dead center" location to get the engine to fire reliably. If this was the case, then I'd think the crank was used to turn the engine over until a cylinder--or even a specific cylinder--was in the TDC location. Since the valves were al fresco this would be readily evident to the mechanic starting the engine. If you've ever timed a VW beetle using a simple bulb timing light you'll know what I mean. Ransom

Troy Raines · 31 March 2006, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ransom E. Olds

I was hoping someone who actually knew what he was talking about would answer this one, but I'll take a stab. The engine was started by use of a starting magneto in the cockpit, with the engine primed and the propeller stationary. I'm not certain if it was preferable, or necessary, to have a specific cylinder in the "just past top dead center" location to get the engine to fire reliably. If this was the case, then I'd think the crank was used to turn the engine over until a cylinder--or even a specific cylinder--was in the TDC location. Since the valves were al fresco this would be readily evident to the mechanic starting the engine. If you've ever timed a VW beetle using a simple bulb timing light you'll know what I mean. Ransom

I didn't really mean to imply the handle was used to actually rotate the engine for starting but looks like thats exactly what I did.

Rotating the engine over to prime the cylinders and get a cylinder slightly past TDC(to avoid possible kickback) would have been a more accurate statement on my part. Did these engines have a compression release lever like the Mercedes? That would make it easier to rotate via the hand crank.
T-roy