shotgun shell start

[Paul Anderson]

http://worldwarwings.com/shotgun-sta...w2-wild-shotty

[stansdds]

The old cartridge starting system, popular through the late 1930's. The U.S. Navy even required it on the original designs of the F4U Corsair and I have read that it worked ok most of the time, but in cold weather the cartridge was not always sufficient to turn the big R-2800 fast enough for the engine to start on the first attempt. Vought switched to a direct engagement electric starter motor with the F4U-1D/C and subsequent versions. The Same goes for the Goodyear FG-1D.

[Terry]

Remember the use of the Coffman Starter in the original Flight of the Phoenix? Quite well done.

[srgalahad]

A good description is here: http://www.pprune.org/pacific-genera...ic-starts.html

The idea even made it into Popular Mechanics - in 1935
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=...epage&q&f=true

There were several types of cartridge starter systems and not limited to WWII aircraft -
Canberra (& B-57) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9fkmqPHTDE
B-52 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQWz7Svmlj4

[Navy Chief]

When I was at Pax River in the early 70s, a couple USAF F-4s came in. Seems like I remember they also had cartridge starts? NC

[stansdds]

Ohhhhh, I had forgotten about the cartridges used to start some of those older jet engines when an air cart or APU was not available.

[oldmsgt]

When I was at Pax River in the early 70s, a couple USAF F-4s came in. Seems like I remember they also had cartridge starts? NC

Chief

Yes our F-4's had the capability for a "Cart Start". They were used mainly during an alert scramble and could generate some serious smoke inside a TAB-V shelter!!

The Old Master Sergeant

[glh]

I just finished reading "100 Missions North" by retired Brigadier General Kenneth Bell. He flew F-105s om bombing missions over North Vietnam in 1966-67 from Takhli AB in Thailand. He also mentions the use of cartridge starters for the F-105s.

Excellent book. I would recommend it to anyone interested. Got it from my library.