I recall reading about the early use of diesels in some of the dirigible airship programs in the 1920s. The article stated the British used Beardmore locomotive diesels in their R101 airship. The maiden flight ended in disaster when it crashed and exploded in France. No fault of the diesels.

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

Maybe lean combustion.

__________________
CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

In today's environment, it's probably only a matter of time before 100LL goes away. I have a hunch that there will be a trend toward aviation Diesel engines. One of the more popular powerplants for experimental (homebuilt) aircraft is the Subaru engine. It so happens that Subaru makes an aluminum boxer diesel in Europe of a suitable weight and power configuration that it could theoritically be used for aircraft use. I'm watching for someone to build a redrive unit and other components needed to use this engine in experimental aircraft. I know someone that burns JetA in his MB diesels but adds some biodiesel for proper lubrication. I suspect the same will be needed for aircraft engines. Perhaps experimentation will show that burning 1-2% two-cycle oil will provide enough lubricity that a pilot could afford to carry the additive with him for on-airport fueling. For local use there would be no reason why red-diesel couldn't be used since it is clearly "off road".

__________________
Current Stable

• 380SL (diesel)
• Corvette C5
• Manx
• Baja Bug
• F350 Powerstroke
• Auburn Boattail Speedster replica

On the OP engine, I find this stuff fascinating so I Googled around a bit. Seems like one of the biggest problems they had with this engine was getting it started in Russian winters. I can imagine they would. Enough either to start a 61 liter engine would be a might touchy procedure. Imagine how much current they would draw turning over in winter.

__________________
1986 300 SDL - rolling parts car and test bed.
1987 300 SDL - semi daily driver.
1977 U1000 Unimog
2007 Ram 2500 6.7l

There's a member on this site with a couple Guiberson radial diesels, one of which he plans on installiing in his Stearman. I hope to be part of the rebuild process when it comes around.

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Do you think this engine used shotgun shells to start too? Forgot about those.

edit -- actually shotgun shells would not work on an vee engine would they?

__________________
1986 300 SDL - rolling parts car and test bed.
1987 300 SDL - semi daily driver.
1977 U1000 Unimog
2007 Ram 2500 6.7l

Does it start this way?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=zGLVtA3LHlE

__________________
Current Stable

• 380SL (diesel)
• Corvette C5
• Manx
• Baja Bug
• F350 Powerstroke
• Auburn Boattail Speedster replica

There is no CO in diesel exhaust. I don't recall the article I saw on this plane, whether it was a Cessna ad or I saw it on the DTF, but it did make that claim.

__________________
'83 300D, 126K miles.

I've seen one of the engines sitting in his shop but I've never looked closely at it to see if it has a fitting for an electric starter. What I understand is that it starts with the Coffman starter but that it's hard on the engine.

I think He was planning on converting the Coffman to a compressed air starter.

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

I questioned this when I read it. It's not so; any time any hydrocarbon burns it will produce carbon monoxide.

"While it is difficult to quantify the typical emissions from a diesel engine, using the current USA regulations for an approximation, 1kg of fuel would produce around 30gm of carbon monoxide, 3.5gm of hydrocarbons, 1.7gm of particulates and 8gm of NOx."

http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_internet/australia/corporate_australia/STAGING/local_assets/downloads_pdfs/f/Fuel_news_diesel_engine_emissions.pdf

I disagree. That figure for CO is for CO2. Since diesels (almost) always run with excess air, there is very little CO produced. That's how they got away so long without emission controls, until PM and NOX became regulated.

__________________
'83 300D, 126K miles.

I was at a Tucson MBCA club meeting held at the Tucson MB dealership for a tour of their dealership. While we were there the parts dept rep mentioned that they provide SMART Diesel parts to the Drone program. So the Diesel SMART is in use in the USA... just a little different than we all thought.

If our charming government uses it for itself, why can't they certify the engine for automotive use in the USA? Go figure!

I guess that the fuel effiency is what helps the Drone up in the air for so long.

__________________
Pete Williams, President emeritus - MBCA-International Stars (Eastern Mich.) Now Wi. & Az.
1985 300D Manual 4 speed Green Hen's tooth
1979 MGB triple black Az car nice
1969 back 1/2 of MGB (Az home built trailer)
1991 Volvo 245 Wagon Nice AZ Restored Gold Brick
1983 Jeep CJ7 37,600 Miles Summer use only

I wonder if it's still possible to buy Coffman cartridges or whether you'd have to reload your own.... I guess a good reason to convert to compressed air. Sounds like a fun project.

__________________
Current Stable

• 380SL (diesel)
• Corvette C5
• Manx
• Baja Bug
• F350 Powerstroke
• Auburn Boattail Speedster replica