unknown cartridge

[paul the grenade]

HI all.
I use this cartridge on my desk at work for holding pens. Can anyone give me any info on it? it about 6 inches high.
Cheers, Paul.

 

[TimG]

Paul,

Its a cartridge for starting aircraft jet engines. I don't know if modern aircraft use them but aircraft such as the Hawker Hunter used them.

Regards

Tim.G.

 

[Chris 42 RQ]

Pegasus starter ?

I think this is one of those engine starting cartridges for a "Pegasus" engine.

Does it still have a steel cross grid inside the cartridge Paul ?

A no too common item.

Chris :tinysmile_shy_t:

 

[paul the grenade]

i dont know. i'll have a look tomorrow at work and get back to you.
cheers, paul.

 

[paul the grenade]

Hi Chris.
There is nothing in the cartridge. compleatly empty.:tinysmile_angry2_t:
Paul.

 

[Chris 42 RQ]

Nice item !

No worries Paul, the only reason I ask is that every single one I have ever seen always had some sort of separating device (steel grid) in them to divide up two different burning rate propellants.

Nice item though.

Chris :tinysmile_shy_t:

 

[Falcon]

Chris, I beg to differ on the "not too common". You see these "old gun shell cases" all the time at car boot sales, but they have quite often had the internal bits removed. The ones with everything there can be found if you look, I have one that I think I paid 3 for.

 

[Chris 42 RQ]

Not so rare !

Chris, I beg to differ on the "not too common". You see these "old gun shell cases" all the time at car boot sales, but they have quite often had the internal bits removed. The ones with everything there can be found if you look, I have one that I think I paid 3 for.

Hi Falcon I guess you could be correct as I do not go to many places where these sort of items would be offered for sale, thank you for that information I will keep a better look out for them as they are always interesting.

Chris :tinysmile_shy_t:

 

[waffenamt]

Hi Chris,
Falcon is correct on this one i reckon.I see a lot of these carts about on my travels.

bet

waff

 

[paul the grenade]

Yes, very common i bought this one at a boot sale years ago for 30p.
He had about 12. I wonder if they came from one of the many RAF bases in lincolnshire like waddington or Scampton.
Paul.

 

[kahu1]

Rr avon engine starter

Hi ,

These are fairly common in NZ though often cut or straightened.

Locally they were used on the EE CANBERRA bombers,3 per engine,the starter housing mounted in the 'acorn' at front of engine.

Originally came with a circular spacer about 2" down inside mouth of case,with a rubber or plastic removable cap.
Shipped in pop top tins 1 each, and case of 8.

Hope this helps.

cheers , Bob.

 

[Chris 42 RQ]

Thank you.

Thanks Kahu for the info, it is nice to actually know what engines they were for.
Chris :tinysmile_shy_t:

 

[paul the grenade]

How did they actually work then?:tinysmile_hmm_t:
was the explosion used to turn the engine fast enough for it to fire up?
Like a starter motor on a car engine?
Cheers, Paul.

 

[TimG]

Paul,

They were essentially 'scaled-up' Coffman starters. Firing the cartridge caused a small turbine to rotate, that in turn started to rotate the compressor of the main turbine, taking it up to an rpm that would sustain ignition.

Regards

Tim.G.

 

[nightwatch]

This is what I was looking for - only someone's turned it into a tankard. Wouldn't like to drink out of it though. Jes.