THE START OF THE TROUBLE [Main Title]
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- Title: THE START OF THE TROUBLE [Main Title]
- Film Number: AMY 225
- Other titles:
- Summary: A training film focusing on the installation of a rotary engine in an aircraft. Not following the correct procedure can result in engine failure at a very early stage, leading to a potentially fatal crash of the aircraft. Excessive or insufficient oil is the prime initiator for a breakdown, and with the aid of animated diagrams, close up photography and a lucid narrative, the film demonstrates the procedures that must be adhered to.
- Description: Reel one: Film opens with two Bristol Beaufighters taking off and commencing an aerial display, as a lorry arrives at the station carrying several damaged radial engines, and delivers them to the Investigation department. Too many aircraft are lost due to engine failure whilst in flight, often due to a malfunction initiated by the oil. All rotary engine failures are investigated and two of the chief causes are hydraulic blocking and over priming of fuel when starting an engine. When a radial engine is static, up to a pint of oil will flow into the three lowest cylinders (i.e. inverted) during one hour. Attempts to start the engine in this condition will result in severe damage since the pistons may not reach top dead centre. Oil cannot be compressed, resulting in a broken/ bent connecting rod, or titling of the cylinder from the engine block depending upon the volume of oil in the piston. This is known as hydraulic blocking. Prior to starting, the spark plugs of the lowest cylinders are removed, the engine is rotated two full turns by a hand crank allowing the oil to drain out. The spark plugs are then replaced. The film shows the consequence of too much or too little oil, and the extent of the damage to the engine followed by detailed instructions for engine starting. The other chief cause is entry of oil into the induction pipe when the sleeve valves are closed. When the engine is started, oil, fuel and air will be drawn into the cylinder, and as the speed increases the volume of oil entering is sufficient to cause a hydraulic blocking and the resultant damage. Excess fuel can enter the induction pipe by over-priming, enter the sleeve valve assembly, wash the oil off, resulting in metal to metal contact without lubrication, followed by engine seizure and a possible fire. This problem is rectified by fitting drainage tubes to the induction pipes. Reel two: “Starting from storage”: The life or an engine depends upon its treatment after coming from storage. Film cuts to several new radial engines on their wooden cradles, slings fitted with the lifting cable eye positioned over the centre of gravity. “Preparation for installation”: New engines have a protective coating applied to the cylinders. As before care is taken to ensure there is no hydraulic blocking of the cylinders and the induction pipes, the sump drained and engine rotated to confirm all cavities are clear. “Fitting the exhaust system”: With engine still on it’s cradle the exhaust ring is fitted and branch pipes attached from the individual cylinders. A degree of freedom is allowed for expansion due to the hot exhaust gases which would otherwise burn the pipe away. “The throttle control”: After the engine has been mounted in the airframe the throttle controls are connected, the carburettor scale must read the same as the throttle scale for the whole range of the lever. “Priming with diluted oil”: A new engine and supercharger must be lubricated by pumping under pressure a gallon of oil diluted with fuel so the oil penetrates to every bearing. During this procedure the engine is continuously rotated by hand, and the oil pump filter removed to allow the surplus oil to drain away. “Fitting the starting plugs”: Correct fitting of the plugs is critical and care taken to ensure the copper washer is intalled with the chamfered edge towards the body of the plug, otherwise the plug will work loose during flight with consequent engine damage. Graphite grease applied to the threads and the HT leads fitted. “The initial run”: Two engines are installed in a Beaufighter, towed out to the tarmac hard standing and the aircraft refuelled. Film cuts to operations on the tarmac. The starting drill cannot be initiated before the carburettor is primed, requiring care to avoid flooding which could lead to a fire when starting the engine. The priming is illustrated in detail with extensive narrative. Reel three: “Starting right...Priming the carburettor”: The film and narrative augment the stages for priming the carburettor already referred to. “The starting drill”: The drill for starting a Beaufighter now follows. The aircraft is turned into the wind and the ground crew commence their appointed tasks, checking all external components of the aircraft, including hydraulic blocking, then stand by to liase with the pilot, who is checking the controls in the cockpit. Very extensive and clear close-up photography plus narrative for each item. The ground crew give the pilot the all clear instruction, who acknowledges and starts the engines. The Beaufighter taxis to the runway and takes off. “Running down an engine”: Beaufighter seen landing and returning to park on the hard-standing. The running down and stopping of a radial engine is more complex than one would imagine. As for starting, detailed explanations are given, emphasising monitoring of the cockpit instrumentation as the engine progresses to shut down. “Oil dilution”: The purpose of oil dilution is to make cold engine starting easier when the weather is cold. The engine is started and a dilution switch in the engine nacelle pressed to control the quantity of fuel added to the main oil-feed which circulates around the engine run at slow speed. After a few minutes the engine is stopped as previously explained. Finally the dilution switch is released when the propeller stops. If dilution is correctly applied the aircraft can be left for periods up to three days without the usual running up, allowing instant start -up.
- Alternative Title:
- Colour: B&W
- Digitised:
- Object_Number: AMY 225
- Sound: Sound
- Access Conditions:
- Featured Period: 1939-1945
- Production Date: 1942
- Production Country: GB
- Production Details: ROYAL AIR FORCE (Production sponsor) Brent Productions (Production company)
- Personalities, Units and Organisations:
- Keywords:
- Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Sound
- Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 3 Length: 2821ft
- HD Media:
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