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Old 28th Sep 2004, 21:26
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Sturmvogel
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Ware, Herts. England
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Wrght J-5 Whirlwind engine.

Just been re-reading Charles Kingsford-Smiths fascinating account of his flying adventures in the 'Southern Cross', etc. The book was written in about 1932 and of course 'Smithy' disapeared on another record breaking flight in a later aircraft in 1935. They only ever found one main wheel I believe, somewhere in Borneo.
As the 'Southern Cross' Fokker was powered by 3x Wright 220 hp Whirlwind engines, the same as had powered Lindberg's Spirit of St. Louis, I got to thinking that it would be nice to obtain an old Whirlwind engine for display-the engine is a design icon in that it was the first completely reliable aero engine. I would love to obtain one and restore it for display along with a few other radial engines I have. I'm in the UK so guess that an engine will be rare here but just thought I'd put the word about.
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