AVRO LANCASTER QUESTION
 

Old mate has just picked up a little flat twin 2-stroke engine which he was informed by the seller was used as an auxiliary power unit in Lancs.
The makers plate says - THE E.C.Co.Ltd. TYPE: 250 TWIN ENG.No.: GPS 242
The letter 'G' appears to have been stamped on the plate as though the serial of the unit may have changed post original production; as though it may have been PS 242 originally.
It is 13 inches in height and 22 inches across from head to head.

What have we here?

He has in addition an interesting collection of complete aero engines including a Lycoming R-680 , one that was originally delivered by the factory to Airlines of Australia in 1937.
The R-680 was the power plant for the Stinson A-Model three-engined airliner.

Rather than an airborne APU (which the Lancaster didn't have AFAIK), it's likely to be the engine that drove a generator for a ground power unit.

These were mostly derived from motorcycle engines, and "the E C Co Ltd" is almost certainly the Enfield Cycle Company who (according to Wikipedia) "produced 250 cc and 350 cc flat twin 2-stroke petrol stationary engines during the war which were used for generators and other military uses".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_twin_engine

Confirming no APU in the Lanc.

But did the 100Gp ECM aircraft not have an auxiliary power source for all their gizmos

Not in the Lanc that I'm aware of Wander00, that's 101 Squadron with the "Airborne Cigar" I'm presuming. 100 Group didn't use the Lanc, depending on the squadron they used a mix of Stirling, Mosquito, Halifax, Fortress, Beaufighter, Wellington and B-24 (some of which did have an APU, but don't know if the Group used those particular models).

Yes, old age , 101, but if not so be it, must be something else then

RCAF Lancs had an APU after the war. Similar to the ones in the B17 B24

Didn't the 'dam buster' Lancs have some sort of power unit to spin up the 'Highball' weapon before dropping? Apparently the aircraft vibrated severely with the thing spinning before the drop (just one more problem to add to the illuminated belly lights, terrain and flak).

Yes, a Ford V8 engine.

Captain Dart, the UPKEEP weapon rotation motor was hydraulic and fed from the existing aircraft hydraulic circuit.

GBZ seems to be correct. Removed upper turret provided the hydraulic source some say.

http://www.lancaster-archive.com/upkeep_1.jpghttps://i2.wp.com/www.lancaster-arch...ic_upkeep1.jpg
http://www.lancaster-archive.com/dam_lanc1.jpg

Yes, I stand corrected.

While the original plan was indeed to fit a Ford V8, the solution eventually adopted was a Vickers Janny variable-speed hydraulic motor (as used for submarines' steering gear).

Thank you chasps, very interesting.