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Rotary engines have a stationary crankshaft with the cylinders and propeller rotating around it.
The kit is designed to move the same way. The completed engine is shown in Figure 5.1
Figure 5.1 Completed Engine on Model
The nine cylinders each have a single intake manifold (EC4). In the kit, this is cast with valve
train as one part. A single push rod (EM4) works a rocker that alternatively opens and closes
the intake and exhaust valves.
Fuel and castor oil are fed to the engine through the shaft. The oil flows into the crankcase and
centrifugal force delivers it to the pistons. The used oil passes through the exhaust valve and is
blown or slung inside the cowl and everything aft. Pilots wore face scarves to keep from
swallowing the castor oil as it is a purgative. Since the oil is not re-circulated, the left half of the
“fuel tank” is actually and oil tank.
Fuel is gravity fed to the “carburetor” which really was very crude only controlling the amount of
air the engine received.
The ignition is through a magneto which is part of the front mount (EC10).This mount includes
the magneto, oil pump and gun synchronizers. They were all gear driven off the shaft, but are
too small on the kit for detail.
You will need black, gray (dark and light), white (or silver) and copper paint to make the engine
as real as possible.
To begin paint the cylinders (EC3) black and while the paint is still wet wipe it off the tops of the
fins. This makes the groves between fins look deeper. Paint the sparkplugs white or silver for
contrast.
