Model Engine Gallery Page 9
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You are looking at a very innovative four-cycle design by Canadian engineer, Michel Arseneau. I can't disclose the internals yet except to say the design is practical and based on an innovative combination of other proven engine concepts. This is a bit beyond the "model" size as you can judge by the 32x12 prop. It is fitted with a recoil pull-starter at the back and instrumentation for further development. When the secrecy wraps come off, we'll show an animation of the operational concept.
The last photos shows some more of Michel's work including two model-size prototypes of the concept engine, plus two-stroke radials and a very well made bar-stock version of the Aero 35, horizontal piston engine with four-point mounting which is a very worthwhile change |
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This high performance engine was built by Luis Petersen of Denmark based on a Paul Bugl crankcase, making it the only front-rotary induction "Bugl" in existence. Luis, a past Danish Nationals Team Race winner, and retired FAI judge, made the engine for the Goodyear event. He reports it went well, but a rule change prohibiting custom engines in the event precluded further development. The engine remains a one-off. To see more of Luis' work, visit the GP II page. | |||
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This little free-lance four-stroke was built by Mr Iain L Holland. The bore is a mere 9/32" (0.281" or 7.14mm) and the stroke is 5/16" (0.313" or 7.94mm), making the displacement 0.0195 cuin (0.32cc). I know experienced model engineers who have trouble making working two-strokes at these sizes. Think how tiny the valves must! Iain sent in a lengthy description of the engine, the challenges he faced, and the ways he solved them. Click here for the full text. | |||
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These photos and text were sent in by Motor Boy, Ken Croft, and here is the text that accompanied them:
Remember my pal Tom Pasco, the guy who builds odd-ball sleeve valve engines, the Beare engine and the like. Well I was privileged to have a good look at his latest engine this morning, and to see [and hear] it running. See the pictures. Once again the engine is unusual. It is a 40cc Vee twin with 90º spacing, with a transverse rotary valve in each cylinder head. Rather than run the valve at half speed as would be normal, Tom chose to run the valves at 1/4 speed, and designed the porting in the valve accordingly. His explanation is that he believes the sealing and successful operation of rotary valves to be a problem, and the lower speed and a smaller port size/valve diameter ratio would give a greater sealing area and lower contact velocity. Each valve is cast iron running in a cast iron sleeve, and a single thrust race on each valve is used to take the end load. Ignition uses a single coil and a distributor, and home made plugs. I did not put a tach on it, nor did I take note of the propeller size, but I can tell you that at full throttle, I kept well out of the way; it sounds like a very powerful engine. Tom builds these engines for the joy of making them, and having been run, he prepares them and mounts them suitable for showing at the various model engineering shows, the next being the Midlands Model Exhibition. They are destined only to be static engines. Enjoy Ken |
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Here's Craig Hinton's example of the Mills 1.3 built from the plans and construction article that appeared in the inaugural issue of Model Engine Builder. We traded several emails during the build while Craig located all the gremlins and poor wording in my build text. But all's well that ends well and the engine achieved sustained runs in early September, 2006. This is also Craig's first engine building attempt and we are both pleased to say it has been a great success. He has opted for a Mk II venturi with a Mk I set of cooling fins. | |||
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Here's another Roy Clough designed Little Dragon made from the Free Plans available to all Model Engine News Members. It was built by Rich Klopp, of Menlo Park, USA. Rich is justifiably pleased with his engine and writes:
It runs! I definitely needed an electric starter to get it going. The needle valve is very sensitive; it just has a standard sewing taper. I notice the aluminum prop driver is galling a bit on the front bearing due to the rearward thrust of the starter. A steel prop driver would probably be better, or at least a smooth steel washer would help. All in all, a fun and educational project. |
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An email from Richard Jackson of Dorset, England that arrived during August 2006 announced the birth of two new ML Midges—well, almost, as the eagle eyed will notice there's something a bit odd about one of them. Here's what Richard had to say:
It's me again, that chap from Dorset England, announcing the birth of two more Midges. So what; you might say, but one of them is a front rotary variation. These are the second and third engines I've made; the first was an EZE. I thought it might be almost as quick to make 2 as 1, after all you make all the jigs and laps, etc. and only use them once - and it was. Interestingly the FRV is by far the happiest of the two it sounds really good and was turning a 7x4 @ 7000 rpm on its second run. I eye balled the crankshaft port position so I must have got lucky. I found a 'Gotcha' when building the side port version, the crankcase drawing shows the inlet @4mm below deck height and the liner drawing @6mm, guess which I did; the 4mm dimension; I got round it by notching the piston skirt! I wonder who else has been caught by that one. The sideport version seems to have too much suction so I am going to open up the venturi a little. When your Mills 1.3 came out in MEB I hacked out the crankcase, so it's back to that now. I am going to build it as an Allourchey look-alike just for fun. Best Wishes
That's a great idea about the cosmetic change to the Mills, Richard. I look forward to seeing it, and congratulations on the Midge twins! |
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Some time back, we featured the Hiness 3 cylinder, 2-stroke radial as Engine of the Month. My ling time friend and mentor, Alwyn Smith recalled seeing a display of Hiness engines in Singapore during his stopovers as an A320 skipper. Although Alwyn has retired, his sons have followed in his footsteps, so he got one to drop by the hobby shop in the Fuk Hi Building (we hope that spelling is correct!) and shoot some photographs through the glass. There are a number of Hiness here I recognize, like the skew-bevel geared, in-line Hiness "Arrow", but there are an amazing number of apparently older Hiness I had no idea existed. The shots were made through the glass display case, but I'm sure you get the idea. | |||
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This 7 clyinder radial was build by Erich Handt, a well known engine maker in his native Germany.
It is one of two and has a bore of 12 mm and a stroke of 14 mm, so its total
displacement is 11 cc. Its diameter is a mere 13 cm (that's just over 5" for those to lazy to reach for their calculator).
Thanks to Dietar Kolb for the pictured. Be sure to visit Dietar's web site: Meine Modellmotorensammlung |
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When he received a Cleveland P61 "Black Widow" kit for Christmas in 1948, young 12 year old Pete Engel wisely decided his building skills were not quite up to the task yet, so he waited a while, like almost 60 years! There's no doubt about his building skills being equal to the task now. Using the original 1946 plans (feasted on by the odd silverfish or two) and printwood (yellow and brittle), but new stripwood, the P61, Cleveland kit SF-155 has taken shape nicely. There's a magic about stick and tissue frameworks that makes them almost too attractive to cover. Well, that's my excuse, anyway... |