Movie: Flight of the Pheonex
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Movie: Flight of the Pheonex
First of all I have no idea what kind of airplane that was, but that is not my question.
What the heck was the shot gun shell starter all about? Is there such a thing, and how does it work?
What the heck was the shot gun shell starter all about? Is there such a thing, and how does it work?
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Re: Movie: Flight of the Pheonex
They were common on old US Navy aircraft. I saw one on a Corsair once. 12ga shotgun shells.Northern Flyer wrote:What the heck was the shot gun shell starter all about? Is there such a thing, and how does it work?
flight of the pheonix
The airplane in question is a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxvar aptley named due to the fact that the interior space is the same to boxcars of the era in which it was built and the shotgun shells are for the coffman(sp) starter. This type of starter was used on such aircraft as the vought coairsair and the B-29 as well as many others. If you go to some sites on the web that show old school RCAF yes pre unification you will see 119's in all their glory.
ULTOR UN UMBRIS
Haven't seen the movie, but using cartridges to start aircraft engines isn't new by any means.
The F105 Thunderchief could be started with an external power cart, or with the use of a cartridge. Apparently it looked like a shotgun shell, except for the fact that it was about the size a three pound coffee can. It worked by burning solid fuel, and directing the stream of combustion gases into the engine in order to spin up the turbine.
Okay, after that post, y'all are entitled to one "Shut up, Claven" each.
The F105 Thunderchief could be started with an external power cart, or with the use of a cartridge. Apparently it looked like a shotgun shell, except for the fact that it was about the size a three pound coffee can. It worked by burning solid fuel, and directing the stream of combustion gases into the engine in order to spin up the turbine.
Okay, after that post, y'all are entitled to one "Shut up, Claven" each.
Please don't tell my mother that I work in the Oilpatch...she still thinks that I'm the piano player at a whorehouse.
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The Chipmunk with the Gypsy Major Engine has a "Shot Gun" style start system.
Basicaly you have an auto rotating disc which contains a number of "shells" aligned per turn with the top of a cylinder.
Best I recall max 8 in this case. Meaning you could only attempt to ground start the engine 8 times before ground crew would have to reload!!!
The shell is fired from a switch in the cockpit with mags live and jugs primed. Gas expansion is ported directly into said cylinder causing engine to turn over with enough force to start engine and be self sustained. Just like an electric starter motor but a little less moving parts and not acting through the crank case and a more spectacular bang
The jet aircraft called the Canbbera used an sizable "blank" 80MM shell fired directly into the back section of the compressor to rotate up the engine with ignition and fuel going to the point of self sustained operation.
Infact most engines can be started (or have to be )with Bleed air as a norm via APU or Ground cart. Only difference being its safer for all concerened not using explosives and Volume of air makes for a better start than high pressure bursts
Have not seen the new movie BUT saw the original as a kid ( ON TV!!!!
Basicaly you have an auto rotating disc which contains a number of "shells" aligned per turn with the top of a cylinder.
Best I recall max 8 in this case. Meaning you could only attempt to ground start the engine 8 times before ground crew would have to reload!!!
The shell is fired from a switch in the cockpit with mags live and jugs primed. Gas expansion is ported directly into said cylinder causing engine to turn over with enough force to start engine and be self sustained. Just like an electric starter motor but a little less moving parts and not acting through the crank case and a more spectacular bang
The jet aircraft called the Canbbera used an sizable "blank" 80MM shell fired directly into the back section of the compressor to rotate up the engine with ignition and fuel going to the point of self sustained operation.
Infact most engines can be started (or have to be )with Bleed air as a norm via APU or Ground cart. Only difference being its safer for all concerened not using explosives and Volume of air makes for a better start than high pressure bursts
Have not seen the new movie BUT saw the original as a kid ( ON TV!!!!
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Northern Flyer, best info I could find on the operation of the system, I have seen one before, not in use however....pretty cool!
http://www.sjvls.org/bens/bf010cs.htm
http://www.sjvls.org/bens/bf010cs.htm
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I've just noticed...
Is every damn movie today just a crappy remake of an old one? What's great is that half the time, they slip it under our noses without us even realizing we're being completely had! If I wanted two different versions I'd get the dang original in widescreen or French!
Is every damn movie today just a crappy remake of an old one? What's great is that half the time, they slip it under our noses without us even realizing we're being completely had! If I wanted two different versions I'd get the dang original in widescreen or French!
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