LeBurg ignition installation

[JimCrawford]

Their website seems to be working, are they not responding to enquiries?

Jim

[MalcD]

Their website seems to be working, are they not responding to enquiries?

Jim

Hi Jim.
I did email them through the website but didn’t get a reply.

[Neil Spooner]

Hi Peter,

I have just found your post.....sorry I have not responded. Yes I do have some Leburg hubs for sale if you still are looking.

Best wishes,

Neil

Hi Neil,

Do you still have any flywheel hubs for a leburg setup for sale.

Peter

[JimCrawford]

At last !!!

After much midnight oil on the mechanical installation:
Quite a lot of work to get the Leburg system sparking:
And a nightmare sorting out the fuel system - including removing a leaking Curtis drain valve that appears to have had locktite as a seal

The first run of the modified VW was today. I shall attempt an attachment - it may be a disaster! *

At the cockpit is Alan Twigg, he offered to act as safety man within reach of the switches and sight of the oil pressure while I hand swung the prop.
After a couple of spluttering false starts we had sorted the priming routine and off we go. Just a couple of short runs while the cowlings are off to check for gross leaks. Next job is cowlings on for proper cooling and longer runs with taxy trials.
A good day

Jim

* it was, the machine will not allow me to upload an mp4 file so a jpeg will have to do.

GAVTC first run 03feb2022edit_Still.jpg (94 KiB) Viewed 4399 times

[Bumblebee Girl]

Hi Jim

That’s great news. Keep posting your progress and hope you get airborne soon!

All the best…

Kate

[Paul1954]

Well done Jim.

It’s been more than 35 years… but was the photo taken behind the old RAFGSA hangar at Bicester?

[JimCrawford]

Yes Paul, the hangar behind is the old GSA hangar, now used for renting out at humongous costs by Bicester Heritage for events. I peeked in once when it was being prepared for a wedding and it had a full size old style merry go round down one end and catering for ~ 150 in the main part, plus a bandstand. Wasn't invited in unfortunately.
It was also used as a film set for one of the Churchill themed feature films a couple of years ago. Probably 'Darkest Hour') You may have seen the clip where he attends a dinner & conference with the French. That was in Bicester Hangar and it was fascinating to see the illusions generated by the film chaps. In particular looking down the hangar toward the open door, a DC3 (real) parked outside and mist behind. Peering through the mist with local knowledge you can just make out the outline of the modern houses on the other side of Skimmingdish Lane.
My logbook reminds me that I started gliding at Bicester as a member of Oxford Uni, Gliding Club on the 16th September 1981.
The Nipper and a few other aircraft (Harvard, Tiger Moth (x2), Stearman, Extra, Airy Mouse and Gyro are in the Hangar closer to Skimmingdish Lane which was in a poor state and we used to call the trailer hangar.

Jim

[Paul1954]

Jim, thanks. One RAF site can look much like another, but Bicester featured in my early aviation days. I started glng there in late 1970, shortly after starting my apprenticeship at Halton. Oh, happy daze!

[JimCrawford]

Although my engine is running quite happily I shall remake the ignition leads as the terminations and boots I've used occupy space a little inconveniently. In particular the leads from the coils to the lower plugs cross over beneath the engine just where I need access to the Curtis Valve I've installed for the oil drain. Using right angle terminations at the coils will sort this.
I've used resistive HT leads and unsuppressed plugs but I'm concerned that the leads are quite tricky to terminate properly and may not be robust. The alternative would be copper cored leads and resistor plugs which may be easier to terminate and more durable in service.

Any body have any insight into which would be the best system to use?

Jim

[JimCrawford]

All parts present and correct - first preliminary weighing to determine the best location for the batteries.

prelim01_800x600.jpg (104.3 KiB) Viewed 3532 times

Jim