Actual Metalworking content: 'New' 1916 110HP Rotary

Wow. I wonder why the strange swash plate design instead of an articulated crank?

I didn't expect that either, thinking it be closer to what the P&W Master link: but did some googling, that 110HP used an odd bearing setup.

from

Although remarkable, the Le Rh=F4ne used a complicated slipper bearing system. Its master rod had three concentric grooves to take slipper bearings from all the other cylinders. The master rod was a split-type to allow assembly of the connecting rods. The remaining rods carried bronze shoes, shaped to fit in the grooves, at their inner ends. Counting the master rod as no. 1, the shoes of no's. 2, 5, and 8 rode in the outer groove, those of 3, 6, and 9 in the middle groove, and 4 and 7 in the innermost one. __

** mike **

last part of my reply got cut off.

It did use a total loss system of castor oil, drawn in with the fuel/air mix in the intake manifold. Might have needed that extra bearing surface, since it wasn't a real pressurized system

** mike **

Whether it was a myth or not, but it was said that all the pilots of rotary engine powered plains in WW I suffered from diarrhoea from the exhaust fumes and carried a bottle of brandy while flying for therapeutic purposes.

Bruce-in-Bangkok (correct Address is bpaige125atgmaildotcom)

IIRC, pilots found making a turn against the torque of all that rotating mass somewhat interesting.:)

On Wed, 5 Nov 2008 19:11:31 -0800 (PST), the infamous mike scrawled the following:

Motocross bikes used a castor oil/gas mix. It reminds me of the old days at the Carlsbad Raceway in LoCal, smelling freshly burned castor oil from the bikes. At night, it was the freshly burned methanol from the dragsters and funny cars. Fuelies Forever!

Ah, da smells of me yout!

-- Everything I did in my life that was worthwhile I caught hell for. -- Earl Warren

From all I have read the biggest problem was making a "go round" when close to the ground - a considerable amount of torque reaction.

By the way, the US Navy built a few corsairs with an R-4360, 3500 HP engine in them and discovered the same thing. Very slow throttle advancement on the take off roll.

Bruce-in-Bangkok (correct Address is bpaige125atgmaildotcom)

Found a video of a fellow down under that put a Merlin V-12 in a '55 Chevy. Well, put a '55 Chevy body on a massive tube chassis carrying the engine... Some fellow from the Speed network got to drive it. Clearing respecting the massive torque and power, he never really put his foot into it, but still comments he got the impression the engine wanted to just roll the car over....

Jon

I've read a few books on WWI aircraft, the castor and the chits was mentioned, the brandy I thought was for a good reception if one lived being shot down.

Wes

-- "Additionally as a security officer, I carry a gun to protect government officials but my life isn't worth protecting at home in their eyes." Dick Anthony Heller