Ford V-8 engine in an aircraft?

[Mike V. Florida]

Arrow Model F

Country: United States
Year: 1935
Horsepower: 82
RPM: 3,075
Weight: 402 lbs
Displacement: 221 cu. in.
Configuration: V-8 liquid cooled
Used in: Arrow Sport F

Description: This engine was developed from the Ford V-8 automobile engine and was approved for aircraft use after stringent government testing. The Arrow Sport aircraft (for which it was produced) used a pull-starter in the cockpit similar to the type found on a lawnmower.

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

Arrow Model F

Country: United States
Year: 1935
Horsepower: 82
RPM: 3,075
Weight: 402 lbs
Displacement: 221 cu. in.
Configuration: V-8 liquid cooled
Used in: Arrow Sport F

Description: This engine was developed from the Ford V-8 automobile engine and was approved for aircraft use after stringent government testing. The Arrow Sport aircraft (for which it was produced) used a pull-starter in the cockpit similar to the type found on a lawnmower.

Ah, yes more info has been posted here--

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...ighlight=ARROW

[rotorwrench]

I've seen a few aircraft that have a cable pull actuated start switch but a rope pull recoil start is usually used on ultralight type aircraft with little engines. A lot of the early early aircraft had inertial type start where the starter could be hand cranked to get the little flywheel turning then pull a cable to engage the clutch of the starter.

There were more than a few that had to be hand prop started way back in the day. The starter just added weight that wasn't welcome due to more than a few reasons.

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

I've seen a few aircraft that have a cable pull actuated start switch but a rope pull recoil start is usually used on ultralight type aircraft with little engines. A lot of the early early aircraft had inertial type start where the starter could be hand cranked to get the little flywheel turning then pull a cable to engage the clutch of the starter.

There were more than a few that had to be hand prop started way back in the day. The starter just added weight that wasn't welcome due to more than a few reasons.

Way back in the day? The old J-3 I used to own still has to be started by hand. Used to do it one handed from behind the prop.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

Way back in the day? The old J-3 I used to own still has to be started by hand. Used to do it one handed from behind the prop.

Ya mean like this guy.........at 2,000 ft? Note: NO shadows! DD

[rotorwrench]

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The J-3s were one of the exceptions to the age of the starter. The Contenintal A65 was one of the few that had to be adapted with later cases to install a starter. I've seen several converted to have electric start and they were cable pull start.

Even the early Hiller 12B from the late 40s had a foot pedal to engage the old Studebaker starter.

I don't mean to make anyone feel older than they are but I too have hand propped several WWII era J3s. The biggest one I ever hand started was a 985 P&W on a converted Stearman. This particular Stearman didn't have room for a starter with the hopper tank installed. There was no generator either. Just a windmill pump for the old spray system.

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

Ya mean like this guy.........at 2,000 ft? Note: NO shadows! DD

Yep, like that but with two feet on the ground. Wonder if there was someone sitting in the back seat because that guy doesn't look like he has a hand on the stick and the J-3 didn't have auto-pilot

[3738]

Learned to hand prop the Cessna 150 I earned my Private Pilots license in back in 1972.

It had a starter, but it was part of what they taught us back when....

[Gary in La.]

I had to hand prop my Luscombe with a 65 continental and depend on their crappy parking brake lock.