ServiceRumDiluted Posted 8 July , 2019 Share Posted 8 July , 2019 Does anybody know what lubricating oil a WW1 vintage aero engine would have used? I work for a lubricant company and this has come up, the engine will not be leaving the ground so no need for flight standard oils. I imagine it would have originally used Castor oil or a thick SAE50-60 mineral oil. There is no filtration so no need for detergent. I already supply thick detergent free oils for WW1 era motorbikes and vehicles, but never before for an aero engine. Any pointers would be gratefully received. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Filsell Posted 8 July , 2019 Share Posted 8 July , 2019 Castor oil was used in rotary engines. the only Great War pilot I ever met fle Cameld. Although I have never seen it stated anywhere else, he said the ingestion of the fumes caused unfortunate bowel problems. Others may have 'eared different' of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quemerford Posted 8 July , 2019 Share Posted 8 July , 2019 A number of rotary pilots had severe reactions to the castor oil used ('used' being the correct term since most of the oil was thrown out of the engine) and were placed on to either pusher types or non-rotaries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMeech Posted 8 July , 2019 Share Posted 8 July , 2019 4 hours ago, ServiceRumDiluted said: Does anybody know what lubricating oil a WW1 vintage aero engine would have used? I work for a lubricant company and this has come up, the engine will not be leaving the ground so no need for flight standard oils. I imagine it would have originally used Castor oil or a thick SAE50-60 mineral oil. There is no filtration so no need for detergent. I already supply thick detergent free oils for WW1 era motorbikes and vehicles, but never before for an aero engine. Any pointers would be gratefully received. Hi Lubricating Oils mentioned in documents (1916 & 1917) include, Vacuum B.B. oil, Vacuum A oil, and Castor oil. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ServiceRumDiluted Posted 9 July , 2019 Author Share Posted 9 July , 2019 Thanks all, good to get some contemporary information. Interesting that as if being a pilot wasn't frightening enough they had to contend with the laxative effect of Castor oil! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now