Cartridge Starters
The RR Avon on the Canberra used either a Single Breech or Triple Breech Cartridge Starter. The Starter Cartridge used a cordite material and when fired, used a CONTROLLED RATE of burn. A metal bridging piece in the cartridge depressed a mushroom valve opening porting to a turbine which accelerated to around 44000 RPM and through a reduction gearing drove the engine. As the engine became self sustaining the engine RPM exceeded the starter RPM and the clutch dis-engaged. The starters were reliable and gave little trouble in service.
Last edited by Old Fella; 7th Feb 2011 at 10:56.