Which Chipmunk is that?
Never ever saw a Gypsy powered machine that had a starter - Dragon, Tiger, Auster, Chippie. Only ever had a problem once using the Armstrong method, as a 16 YO trying to get a Tiger going, near collapse by the time it sprang to life.
Mod H377 in 1991 allowed for the Coffman cartridge starter to be replaced by the Rotex electric unit.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Never ever saw a Gypsy powered machine
Thread Starter
The DH-82c that visits my gliding club near Calgary has an electric starter.
Several Tigers here in Oz have Gipsy Major 10/2's (i.e. the Chipmunk engine), complete with electric starter etc.
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Only ever had a problem once using the Armstrong method, as a 16 YO trying to get a Tiger going, near collapse by the time it sprang to life.
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'Once one learned what the engine needs, it was easy. Prime by pulling the ring that allows fuel into the inlet manifold, pump the fuel pump lever up and down listening for the 'clack clack' of the non return valves in the fuel lines (the tanks are downhill of the engine in the tail-down attitude). When fuel trickles from the manifold drain onto the apron, stop pumping and wait for the dribble to stop.'
The trickle is important - if no trickle the drain pipe could be blocked (old oil) and the manifold full of fuel.
Been there, done that.
The trickle is important - if no trickle the drain pipe could be blocked (old oil) and the manifold full of fuel.
Been there, done that.
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Oh, and there's starting a Gipsy on a VERY cold morning. I was trying to do this once and the engine wasn't having it. The on-airfield aircraft engineers were open that morning and they couldn't start it using the usual methods either, so I was instructed to get in while two hefty lads lifted the tail to the level attitude.
The chief engineer then did the tickle, suck in, called for 'CONTACT', and swung it. It started first swing.
"Usually when you suck-in you are sucking in vapour from the pool of fuel at the aft (lower) end of the inlet manifold", he explained. "When the wx is VERY cold the fuel doesn't vapourise as readily and probably only the back cylinder gets a whiff. Hold the tail up so the manifold is level and so is the pool of fuel, and they all get some".
Well, it certainly worked!
The chief engineer then did the tickle, suck in, called for 'CONTACT', and swung it. It started first swing.
"Usually when you suck-in you are sucking in vapour from the pool of fuel at the aft (lower) end of the inlet manifold", he explained. "When the wx is VERY cold the fuel doesn't vapourise as readily and probably only the back cylinder gets a whiff. Hold the tail up so the manifold is level and so is the pool of fuel, and they all get some".
Well, it certainly worked!
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I believe Rollason engineers used to do that trick using a trestle to get the Tiger Club's Tigers started.
Then I discovered impulse magnetos.
The trickle is important - if no trickle the drain pipe could be blocked (old oil) and the manifold full of fuel.
Oh, and there's starting a Gipsy on a VERY cold morning.
Thread Starter
Sorry chaps, I can’t resist. I laugh at your concept of “VERY cold”
As I sit here, in the warm, it’s -21 C outside and that’s the high for the day. -28 C tonight! I have to go out soon and see if my car will start!
All sensible Gipsy Majors are tucked up until spring.
As I sit here, in the warm, it’s -21 C outside and that’s the high for the day. -28 C tonight! I have to go out soon and see if my car will start!
All sensible Gipsy Majors are tucked up until spring.
As a student at CFS Little Rissington in January 1969, I remember the fusilade of cartridge explosions in the early morning as we tried to get some life into the line of Chipmunks that had spent the night in a damp hangar. Gosh it was cold!
@ TW50
Was S/L Steve Holding the C/O at Rissington then? Previously he had been deputy CFI at Leeds UAS at Church Fenton. I'm forever grateful to him - he taught me how to land the Chippie.
Was S/L Steve Holding the C/O at Rissington then? Previously he had been deputy CFI at Leeds UAS at Church Fenton. I'm forever grateful to him - he taught me how to land the Chippie.
Which reminds me of this little incident....
Back at Abingdon after the xmas holiday many years ago,very cold january weather...chippies not been started for a couple of weeks and were being a little reluctant to fire up.
One of our VRT gentlemen told his groundcrew that they were clear to prime (even though he had just started his walkround) so young 'E' says 'ok'
- he primes and swings the prop and hey presto the dripsy chunks into life and continues to idle - even with both mags off LOL.
'E' is just staring at the prop spinning - the pilot is stood holding on to the rudder just gawping
.
A quick thinking sumpy SAC jumps up and pulls the fuel cut off !!
What a great start to the new year - much mirth at E's expense but nobody was hurt
One of our VRT gentlemen told his groundcrew that they were clear to prime (even though he had just started his walkround) so young 'E' says 'ok'
- he primes and swings the prop and hey presto the dripsy chunks into life and continues to idle - even with both mags off LOL.'E' is just staring at the prop spinning - the pilot is stood holding on to the rudder just gawping
. A quick thinking sumpy SAC jumps up and pulls the fuel cut off !!
What a great start to the new year - much mirth at E's expense but nobody was hurt
Yes there was a good reason why the pilot shoulda been in the cockpit during engine prime
I was referring to a standard RAF Chippie start Dora
The incident I posted about was very unusual - all the other Chippies we dragged out of the hangar that day were extremely reluctant to start !
The incident I posted about was very unusual - all the other Chippies we dragged out of the hangar that day were extremely reluctant to start !