Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:19 pm
JDK wrote:However the SE is a fixed Vee engine powered aircraft!
Yeah I know that. I thought between the photos, my text, and a website dedicated to the Se5a's that was self explanatory.
I could use a 4 or 5 paragraphs next time if it'll make you feel better there Dr. Dictionary?
Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:48 pm
airnutz wrote:As mentioned before, beautiful workmanship! Thanks for all the photos!
Are the Lewis guns "gas guns", K5054NZ?
Sadly I think they're just very, very nice inoperable replicas. Would be great to see some more gas gun-equipped warbirds here in NZ.
Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:17 pm
K5054NZ wrote:airnutz wrote:As mentioned before, beautiful workmanship! Thanks for all the photos!
Are the Lewis guns "gas guns", K5054NZ?
Sadly I think they're just very, very nice inoperable replicas. Would be great to see some more gas gun-equipped warbirds here in NZ.
Ahhh...pity, Thanks!
Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:30 pm
airnutz wrote:JDK wrote:However the SE is a fixed Vee engine powered aircraft!
Yeah I know that.
Not a big deal, just a discussion on rotaries in a thread about a fixed engine type had the potential to confuse. Someone would be bound to go looking for the rotary-powered SE...
As to the Vintage Aviator's guns, there's a section on their website about them.
I'm not sure, but is it possible to make a gas gun version of a Lewis without the air-cooling jacket? Most of the gas guns I've seen don't look like prototypical versions, but I haven't seen many.
Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:04 am
JDK wrote:Not a big deal, just a discussion on rotaries in a thread about a fixed engine type had the potential to confuse.
True, not a big deal, but in fact it was a side discussion on the uses of the scarf. Two of those uses could apply to any
open cockpit aircraft...The third to the rotary. I'll make the point clearer to the potential punter next time.
James, you could have pointed out that the Hisso did not expel castor oil for the uninitiated and left it at that.
Someone would be bound to go looking for the rotary-powered SE...
They wouldn't have to look farther than behind the prop.
Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:20 am
It was just a passing comment - not even directed towards anyone! Not an issue.
Evidence of castor oil on the replica Sopwith Camel's screen at Omaka two years ago.
An interesting quote - Castor oil as a munition of war!
From 'The Rise and Fall of Castor Oil'.
And the first of the SE's at Omaka also. The interesting thing was the Lewis gun pans looked real right until you handled them, when they were obviously single piece cast (resin?)
Evidence of castor oil on the replica Sopwith Camel's screen at Omaka two years ago.
An interesting quote - Castor oil as a munition of war!
The design of the Rotary Engine resulted in the castor oil being expelled in copious quantities through the valve system on top of the engine. The pilots would often ingest much of this, leading to a quick trip to the toilets upon landing as it caused indigestion.
Since castor oil was needed for lubricating airplane engines, 100,000 acres of land in the southern United States had to be planted in castor beans. Castor Oil used by the radial engine was supplanted by Voltol, an oil derived from coal. The Germans tried to use Voltol since the Allies had am embargo to stop shipments of castor oil.
From 'The Rise and Fall of Castor Oil'.
And the first of the SE's at Omaka also. The interesting thing was the Lewis gun pans looked real right until you handled them, when they were obviously single piece cast (resin?)
Sun Mar 29, 2009 12:33 am
JDK wrote:I'm not sure, but is it possible to make a gas gun version of a Lewis without the air-cooling jacket? Most of the gas guns I've seen don't look like prototypical versions, but I haven't seen many.
I don't understand your comment, the Lewis's displayed have an air cooling jacket. If you mean the "nekkid" barrel
Lewis...then these ain't those. Regardless, from what I've seen that wouldn't make a difference, all of the gas-firing
assembly is usually contained within the reciever body. A fairly simple device consisting of a combustion chamber, igniter, and regulator appuratus.
Designs vary, but this fellow sells plans of his version for $15.00 (US for the punters
), or he'll build you what you want...
www.kcdawnpatrol.org/machine-gun.htm
Sun Mar 29, 2009 1:01 am
airnutz wrote:JDK wrote:I'm not sure, but is it possible to make a gas gun version of a Lewis without the air-cooling jacket? Most of the gas guns I've seen don't look like prototypical versions, but I haven't seen many.
I don't understand your comment, the Lewis's displayed have an air cooling jacket. If you mean the "nekkid" barrel Lewis...then these ain't those.
I was distinguishing between these (or the flexibly-mounted unjacketed) and the standard original ground issue Lewis.
Regardless, from what I've seen that wouldn't make a difference, all of the gas-firing assembly is usually contained within the reciever body. A fairly simple device consisting of a combustion chamber, igniter, and regulator appuratus.
Great! That's the answer, thanks!