Some Interesting Engineering Projects Here

[Dave Homewood]

Today Aeromedia and I visited a private museum which is a wonderful collection of muscle cars, bikes, old trucks, bulldozers, diggers and other cool machines.

Two things that stood out as interesting engineering were a gas turbine powered Triumph motorcycle (with a Rolls Royce Allison helicopter engine!) and also a Fletcher engine that was fitted to a Mk. IV Zephyr, and is going to be refitted to another Mk IV Zephyr in the near future!

Pete and I thought the engineers, boffins and petrolheads here will be interested.

"The Project" motorcycle








The Flying Zephyr

[oj]

There is something very odd about this IO-470 Continental engine being fitted into a Mk4 Zephyr by Mike Ross.
I was at AESL/NZAIL when Mike was doing his aircraft engineering apprenticeship.
He and his father Jim installed the IO-470 into a Mk1 Zephyr, painted blue.
this was a bit of a beast to drive and he subsequently sold it to Wayne Waite (another AESL/NZAIL apprentice.
Wane lost control of it and rolled it on the old mystery creek lazy "S" bend in the dip of SH3 one night after a session at the Ohaupo pub.
He never re-built it and I don't remember its disposal.
Perhaps the Ross's purchased two IO-470's, though why the first Mk 1 Zephyr is not mentioned eludes me.
There are plenty of ex AESL/NZAIL personnel that can vouch for the Mk 1 story.

[oj]

I understand the Allison-powered motorcycle was built by Chris Minee, another ex NZAIL apprentice.

[Dave Homewood]

Re the Zephyr, we were told today that Mike sold the car and the new owner then sold it on, but did not sell the engine as the next owner did not want it. The engine has now made its way back to Mike, who has located another Zephyr and it is going to be fitted into that, apparently.

Regarding the bike, I cannot recall the name mentioned, but we were told the builder lives in Cambridge. He apparently had a helicopter business at Hamilton Airport and built this when he retired?

[Dave Homewood]

I meant to add the link to all my photos which are on Facebook

www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=dave.homewood&set=a.10159731965238764

[aeromedia]

Such an unexpected and spectacular surprise. We went there on a particular mission and the scope, professionalism and imagination in this collection was awe inspiring. And some of the nicest hosts you’ll find anywhere. We were very spoilt. Pleased to share the experience with you Dave.

[Dave Homewood]

I absolutely agree Peter. It was a great day!

[nuuumannn]

Just had a quick look at the images, very interesting to see.

This wee car that used to be on display at the Wings and Wheels museum at Wanaka is fitted with a Lycoming.

DSC_0925

Of course, Lycoming have been building car engines for years, the Duesenbergs, Auburns and the beautiful and advanced Cord 810s had Lycomings as E.L. Cord owned the Lycoming company.

Lycoming engined Cord 810, with a supercharged Auburn alongside, sadly not the jaw droppingly beautiful Boat-tail Speedster.

_DSC4278

[oj]

1. "Regarding the bike, I cannot recall the name mentioned, but we were told the builder lives in Cambridge. He apparently had a helicopter business at Hamilton Airport and built this when he retired?"

He would be too young to retire and I think the business is still extant.

2. "This wee car that used to be on display at the Wings and Wheels museum at Wanaka is fitted with a Lycoming."

I have seen that Lycoming Special racing at the Wigram motor races several times when I was at Wigram 2TTS in 1963 and 1965.
I think it had an early Lycoming O-235 engine (115HP).
We were "volunteered" for crowd control and in uniform but because we were in front of the spectators we had the best viewing positions.

[madmax]

On the subject of aero engines in cars, some years ago Robert McNair fitted a Gipsy Major engine into an Riley sports car and I vaguely recall a car which raced at Palmerston North in the 1960s called the Lycoming Special. Undoubtedly fitted with a Lycoming aero engine