Praga B2 Aero Engine - First Run In 84 Years!

This motor last ran on Hillson Praga G-AEYM at Weston Aerodrome, Somerset on the 1st September 1939. See the five part rebuild series • Praga B2 Engine Rebuil...
I don't know what I'll do with it but that not the point. It was a corroding mess, now it's fixed and running. Maybe you can suggest some ideas?
Music: 'Hammock Fight' by Kevin Macleod
#engine #aeroengine #praga #flyingforfun #aeronca #aeroncac2 #aeroncac3 #aeronica #airknocker #flyingbathtub #douglasdc3 #douglasc47 #spitfire #hurricane #worldwar2 #ww2 #ww1 #airport #airstrip #automobileassociation #rac #aa #vintagesportscarclub #vintageaircraft #vintageaeroplane #vintageairplane #aeroplane #plane #flying #aerodrome #england #praga #oldengine #microlight #cornwall #thrustertst #vauxhall1440 #vauxhall #airplane #magneto #lathe #railway #propeller #makingapropeller

[@nigelturner486]

I think your cat had the right idea!

[@edstoro3883]

"Bertie" you are an ACE, congratulations!!!

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

Thank you Ed! You must have got my message regarding the Flycatcher, email me if I can help in any capacity.

[@kbjerke]

You simply *MUST* send this clip to Alaina!! This is *GLORIOUS,* Nick!!

[@edwardtuijl7517]

Discovered your videos, now I'm hooked on them, thank you, fascinating

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

Splendid, it's hopefully a harmless form of addiction!

[@bradleymasson1777]

You're having way too much fun with this.

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

Yes, it was a great project 👍 will do another similar engine soon, probably next winter. Several episodes but I do have a suitable propeller already 🙂

[@malcolmgibson6288]

The very best "will it run" video on KZbin.

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

Thank you, it's all a bit of harmless messing around. More on the way!

[@kirbyn2010]

Starting an engine that has been silent for 84 years and using your own homemade prop as the load. Just WOW! Yeah, I, also, never throw out anything! It's all useful, eventually! Thank you, Nick. I am in the process of mounting an engine off a snowmobile onto a 20 yr old X-air and you are providing inspiration.

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

Thank you, it was a fun project to get that motor going and there’s more to come 🙂

[@BlueSwallowAircraft]

Congratulations on the engine run!

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

Thank you, it's been a satisfying project. I was lucky, the crowded rollers on the big end bearings were badly corroded but amazingly the corrosion had not badly marked the crankshaft. The damage polished out OK. The cylinders have a certain amount of pitting but not dreadful. I've added cross bracing to the wooden legs and will run it again soon.

[@AUSTIN-1100]

Fantastic work. Love all your videos. You really must bring the C3 into Brown Shutters Farm some day. It would be a delight to see you and the aeroplane here.

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

Thank you, a visit to Brown Shutters Farm is a splendid idea 👍

[@wellbraehome9896]

Well done Nick - brilliant! I really enjoy these videos. Please keep them coming . Thanks.

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

My pleasure, lots more idiotic nonsense on the way!

[@wesleycardinal8869]

Not bad for an 84 year old! You must have been half deaf after that little episode!

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

…. Pardon, sorry, say again?! 🤣

[@ralphjohnson4041]

Great fun! Heath Robinson would have been proud. Prop looks great too.

[@5695q]

Good on you for bringing a pile of fairly rare parts back from the bin to running, how about some cotter pins on those prop bolt nuts though.

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

They were checked for tightness just before the run up, and afterwards too. If I do any long runs then I’ll wire or pin them. They are very tight, as is the hub nut, for which I bought a new 27mm socket.

[@tennesseered586]

Very satisfying to see and hear it run. Nice job. "I never throw anything away." Yes, you'd get on well with the owner of G-ADDI.

[@bentonbee1]

Love this! I like your car and engine mount also!

[@Dazsvintagestuff]

Outstanding sir, I think you should build a special. You mentioned in an earlier video a GN chassis, that would be perfect, something along the lines of Basil Davenports Spider.

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

Yes, it’s very tempting. I have been collecting bits for a special for ages but ideally need to find a suitable chassis frame with a V5.

[@kbjerke]

A Praga powered Vauxhall!?! OMG My life is over. ROFL ETA - it should go great in reverse!! 🙂

[@user-xi5rw6iv3b]

Even the cat is legging it, like oh nooo what now 🤣🤣🤣

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

🙀😂😂

[@spurgear4]

The gentleman at Yesterdays Machinery built a dual coil contraption to re magnetize a magneto. He to does interesting things with old relics.

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

I checked the spark again after the engine runs and it was noticeably better. The other magneto needs rewinding and I'm going to get it sorted out in a while. There's a useful chap in Bristol who rewinds BTH armatures, he's done a couple for me already. I like being an old relic, or did you mean the engine?! 🤣

[@spurgear4]

@@FlyingForFunTrecanair Yes

[@paulhelman2376]

November is rewind your magneto month down our way.

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

I ‘ll post it to you tomorrow 🤣

[@Volksplane1]

Lovely to share the joy. Great fun!

[@donhorsey]

From Oz, we’ll done, and I,m Minerva convert!

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

Minerva motorcar?

[@danhubert-hx4ss]

All you need now is that Schelde single-seat flying boatbolted on to this engine. You know you want to...

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

I have an appalling confession to make. The engine has been sold to a pal who's building a Heath Parasol; however, we will see it again as I'm going to be carrying out the test flying once it's finished. As for the Scheldemeuuw, yes, it's a delightful thing and you'll have to wait until the Aeronca C2 is finished before the next project is revealed. From what you have said, I believe you will like it.

[@danhubert-hx4ss]

@@FlyingForFunTrecanair Sure will. These Aeroncas are so cuddly I can`t get enough of them.

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

@@danhubert-hx4ss Of course, I have a set of EDO floats for the C2 as well 😉

[@danhubert-hx4ss]

@@FlyingForFunTrecanair OMG! That`s just too much...

[@dcmflydude6320]

Beautiful

[@CAHelmer]

Brilliant and classy engine stand. Certainly what the in crowd uses. Glad to see this Praga back to life. Excellent work.

[@stevenborham1584]

Strap it all up to the cars cowling frame, start it up again, yell out "Poop-Poop" and release the brakes.

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

It's very tempting!

[@nevillesutherland6069]

A long gestation--but well worth the wait! If your fuel container was raised several inches, gravity feed would obviate all that bulb manipulation? Or is that part of the 'experience' ? This engine is crying out for a suitable airframe. Your C2 ?

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

The C2 has a nice zero timed Aeronca Jap with a decent propeller! The Praga is not wonderful by comparison, it's most likely to end up in a vintage special with four wheels.

[@MemphisBBQ640]

(1:15) The cat apparently found the whole thing a bit dodgy and scampered away to safety... (7:58) Is that the Teenaged Getaway Driver?

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

The teenaged getaway driver was behind the camera. The chap who appeared at 7:58 is a local plumber who was coring a large hole in our house for a new waste system; he was intrigued by the frightful noise 🤣

[@kbjerke]

I forgot to add, *"CONGRATULATIONS!"*

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

Thank you, I’m very pleased with the end result. Just needs a pusher prop for ‘hill assist’ duties!

[@kbjerke]

@@FlyingForFunTrecanair A potential candidate for next project? Perhaps not. I heard a rumour there was a vintage "mystery engine" in the works. Can't wait for that one! 😃

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

@@kbjerke Oh yes, the ‘mystery motor’ is on the bench. Just as a teaser, it’s arguably the most produced aero engine ever 🤔 but maybe not conceived a such.

[@kbjerke]

@@FlyingForFunTrecanair YAY!! Have fun with it!!

[@hectorchittenden9749]

1:15 The Cat 😂

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

Yes, she certainly scarpered 🤣

[@marttimattila9561]

When finger starting a model aircraft engine after several unsucsesful atemp when sudenly runing you put your finger back for spun because you used to repeat your moves. In this case that would be more painfull. That is a reason why I have electrical starter in all of my hobby earo engines. And btw. I make my props and have a Vauxhall too a Viva.

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

A bit different with a full size propeller. The art of swinging a propeller moves the body parts away from the disc.

[@emmettdoliveiro4327]

How do I get the plans for c2

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

You join the Aeronca Museum (easily found online) for $35. Some plans are there, the other detail needs to be measured off an aircraft. It is not easy and takes lots of research.

[@dcmflydude6320]

Isn’t 1930’s technology wonderful!

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

Yes, lots of good engineering and finished to an agreeable standard.