An excellent of posts indeed.

EGGW

So how big is the Canberra starter cartridge? That photo on the last page gives the appearance of a cannon shell. I assume there is the odd Canberra still flying so is there a dwindling supply of cartridges left or is someone still making them to order as I guess they must have some sort of shelf life.

I'd guess that any aeroplanes still flying that originally had cartridge-start RR Avons would have been converted to use the electric start that civil RA29 Avons (and perhaps some military ones) had.
ETA
Yes it's a very interesting thread for one who's lived near Luton for 66 years and had various flights to and from, and has aeroplanes heading there overhead most days!

180mm tall and 70mm diameter

Same size that I have from an Avon 114 Hunter T.7.

Chiarain.

Might be a stupid question but how is it actually set off? Does it contain some sort of explosive charge that has to be fired?

http://i64.tinypic.com/15i1euw.jpg

My partner kindly posted the image on my behalf.

In the centre of the "blunt end" there is a firing pin, which when hit produces an explosive reaction out the other end.

The explosive gases then turn a turbine in the starter motor which turns the engine.

Chiarain.

Great stuff so thanks. I wonder how they stopped debris from the fragments of the explosion from entering the turbine?

My recollection is that it was fired electrically, hence the inscription "CART ELEC ENG START"; so no explosion, just a stream of hot gas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz5-yM6fJ70

As you can see, nothing goes near the engine turbine!

EGGW

"My recollection is that it was fired electrically, hence the inscription "CART ELEC ENG START"; so no explosion, just a stream of hot gas"

Well done ,that is the right explanation.

My only experience of A/c starters was with "Avpin" at Dunsfold.

Chiarain.

Just watched the video, could almost smell the cordite! My memory is that the cartridge gas does not go into the aircraft compressor but a small turbine geared to the central shaft of the engine. It is, however, a long time ago, so I may be wrong

Wander00, you are correct

I wonder if the "NEC" stamped on the end of the cartridge shown above is related to the term "Net Explosive Content" that we used to use in Transport Command?

I seem to remember that carrying passengers (except troops) with a cargo which had an NEC of more than 200 lbs was not allowed, for example.

Somebody mentioned AVPIN. This was a highly flammable and volatile substance that no one ever wanted to carry.

So, we are getting towards the very end of 1975 and 39 Sqn with Canberra PR.9s are heading for Jamaica to re-map the place. Two Britannias and one Belfast are in support. On the way through Bermuda, the Britannia carrying the AVPIN forgets to offload it.

Result; New Years Day and we are invited to fly Belfast XR367 back to Bermuda from Montego Bay with a 5 gallon can of AVPIN so that the 39 Sqn Canberras can start their engines!

Our original destination from Montego Bay was Charleston AFB, South Carolina so going back to Bermuda was just a little bit of a major dogleg!

Great pictures the invicta dc4 was in a episode of the Saint recently with a Autair ambassador which I beleive Aqua planed on jacks

G-ALZS 14 Sep 1967. No casualties. Had a local WI on board.

Luton 1973
 

Ten minutes of pure nostalgia:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhYU6FR4uaM