WWII drone engine runs EAA AirVenture 2018

1945 Kiekhaefer 0-45-1(747 cc, 20 hp, 32 x 36 inch prop) and Righter 2-GS-17 (0-15-1; 277 cc, 6 hp, 26 x 23 inch props) drone engine runs in the Vintage area at EAA AirVenture 2018, Oshkosh, WI.

[@draftwood]

Over 50 years ago i was at a friends house and saw a glimpse of that 0-45-1 model in the back of his garage. The image of that opposed twin engine has haunted me for years. I'm a two stroke fanatic and always wondered what one sounded like running. Now I know. Thanks.

[@tomfey6020]

You are welcome. Running them is the great fun for me. The 0-45-1 is cantankerous to start because the slow pull-over tends to dribbles fuel, not really really atomize it. The 0-45-1 has a much deeper bellow than the smaller drone engines.

[@gregorybrown4062]

Just found it. What fun toys!

[@tomfey6020]

Thanks, and indeed they are. The noisy little engines add some variety and "visitor bait" to the proceedings.

[@claytonpozzer]

Nice engine!

[@tomfey6020]

Thank you. All fun for me.

[@MrM-or6uh]

Nice!

[@tomfey6020]

Thanks. All fun for me.

[@jimbos3421]

Nice power plant for a small airboat!

[@tomfey6020]

These engines have to run in the tractor configuration and are really loud, but people have used them on ice sleds, too.

[@mrpurcountry]

I found the propeller to the one in the beginning of this video really nice shape

[@mrpurcountry]

@@tomfey6020 mine's 36 with a 72 pitch

[@tomfey6020]

Thank you. New built based on original 44D7796 propeller but left slightly thicker for safety. Made from laminated white birch, 32 in diameter x 36 inch pitch.

[@tomfey6020]

@@mrpurcountry, that is a lot of pitch! The 0-45-1 prop (32x36) propelled the OQ-14 drone to 143 mph spinning @ 3,650 rpm (20-22 hp).

[@mrpurcountry]

I may be wrong about the pitch here's my specs, made by sensenich Corporation, P / n 22043 model number 27 6-17 serial number 3075

[@mrpurcountry]

@@tomfey6020 I just took measurement

[@garygullikson6349]

Funny how a group of guys shows up, hands in pockets, to watch somebody starting an engine.

[@tomfey6020]

It is what makes the whole thing fun. One year it took me a long time to get the engine to go. The EAA host told me that people enjoy the struggle more than the run itself. I believe he is correct.

[@garygullikson6349]

@@tomfey6020 Guys stood around to watch me kick start my 1948 Indian MC.

[@moaslimes3674]

Where do you find parts?

[@tomfey6020]

Parts are typically acquired from a second engine or trades among fellow collectors. The 36 x32 propellers and Champion R-1 spark plugs for the 0-45-1 come across online resellers a couple times a year. Museums typically have drone engines stored in back, often willing to deal. Carburetors, propeller hubs & flanges, and mounting eyebolts are extremely hard to come by. There are no "new" parts.

[@moaslimes3674]

@@tomfey6020 I have a complete 0-45-1 minus the distributor cap and spark plugs. I have been trying to find the cap but haven’t had any luck. Thanks for the info.

[@tomfey6020]

​@@moaslimes3674, email me at [e-mail].

[@tomfey6020]

@@moaslimes3674 , the drone engines don't have distributor caps, just a simple cover that looks like the bottom of a soup can. A replica timer cover (Righter Engine Timing Cover) can be found at KipAero, SKU: Righter 6299. Spark plugs for the 0-45-1 are Champion R-1.

[@russcole5685]

What is the displacement cc power and prop size

[@tomfey6020]

1945 Kiekhaefer 0-45-1(747 cc, 20 hp, 32 x 36 inch prop) and the contra-prop 1943 Righter 2-GS-17 (0-15-1; 277 cc, 6 hp, 26 x 23 inch props) drone engine runs in the Vintage area at EAA AirVenture 2018, Oshkosh, WI.

[@russcole5685]

@@tomfey6020 yeepers they're awesome thanks for that

[@tomfey6020]

@@russcole5685 , thanks. I've got another one under restoration, a Righter 4-0-34; four cylinder, 2 stroke, 554 cc, 17 horsepower. They only made nine of them. Stay tuned.

[@russcole5685]

@@tomfey6020 would enjoy a video of the twin prop running, bugger hand starting that thou. Sadly I'm in New Zealand, so cant come see for myself at you wonderful air shows

[@tomfey6020]

@@russcole5685 , thanks. The engine is relatively low compression (4 to 1) so not too hard to throw over. The gearbox and props add a fair amount of inertia so it doesn't accelerate dangerously fast. Fingers flat on the fore blade, not wrapped around it, is essential. I finally have the engine dialed in now so that it takes 4 cold priming pulls, then typically starts on the third hot pull. Per the manual, piston Top Dead Center is when the fore blade is at 10 o'clock as I face the engine from the front. A new engine should get to 3,800 rpm before launch. My engine is 77 years old, gets to 3,500 rpm or so. The propellers were patterned off the originals and made in 2013. I left them 1/8th in thicker for safety. The following video was the second time I started it, dripping carb and all, so be patient: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqPYqoeNbMiSatE

[@db3170]

Starving for gas

[@tomfey6020]

Perhaps, but the larger engine was actually flooded for some of the time. Because they only get one rotation from the hand starting, airflow through the carburetor is slow, causing fuel to dribble as liquid into the engine, not atomize. The use of the atomizer to the carb while throwing the prop over was an attempt to get a vaporized mixture into the crankcase and cylinders instead of wet fuel. An improved atomizer has remedied this problem.