Jump to content


Photo

Bill Connors' half-scale model engines


  • Please log in to reply
8 replies to this topic

#1 Mick Robinson

Mick Robinson
  • Member

  • 271 posts
  • Joined: July 08

Posted 22 September 2012 - 12:43

Hi Guys, I'm not sure how many of you are aware of the Half scale model engines built by Bill Connor of Maidstone, they are all machined from Billet with no castings used at all, he makes every part of them himself including pistons, rings, valve springs, bevel gears etc etc.
AND THEY ALL RUN !!
He started to built his first engine in 1944 !
I have seen them in the "flesh" and seen the Manx and G50 running, he has also built a rotary aircraft engine with 9 cylinders which also runs, he made the spark plugs for that as they were a bit expensive !!

http://www.msrphotog...o_page_543.html
http://www.msrphotog...o_page_544.html
http://www.msrphotog...o_page_545.html
http://www.msrphotog...o_page_546.html
http://www.msrphotog...o_page_547.html

Advertisement

#2 Russell Burrows

Russell Burrows
  • Member

  • 6,529 posts
  • Joined: December 07

Posted 22 September 2012 - 12:55

Hi Guys, I'm not sure how many of you are aware of the Half scale model engines built by Bill Connor of Maidstone, they are all machined from Billet with no castings used at all, he makes every part of them himself including pistons, rings, valve springs, bevel gears etc etc.
AND THEY ALL RUN !!
He started to built his first engine in 1944 !
I have seen them in the "flesh" and seen the Manx and G50 running, he has also built a rotary aircraft engine with 9 cylinders which also runs, he made the spark plugs for that as they were a bit expensive !!


The skills some people have are absolutlely bloody amazing. How would you describe the engine notes?


#3 Mick Robinson

Mick Robinson
  • Member

  • 271 posts
  • Joined: July 08

Posted 22 September 2012 - 13:21

The skills some people have are absolutlely bloody amazing. How would you describe the engine notes?


Hi Russell, bearing in mind the half scale 500's are actually around 60cc, they sound like a higher pitched version of the full size one and brilliant on the overun ! I saw the G50 rev counter go up to about 11,000 rpm.
The G50 appeared to carburate better than the one I used to race !! Bill makes the carb needles from various sized sewing needles.

#4 Russell Burrows

Russell Burrows
  • Member

  • 6,529 posts
  • Joined: December 07

Posted 22 September 2012 - 15:38

Hi Russell, bearing in mind the half scale 500's are actually around 60cc, they sound like a higher pitched version of the full size one and brilliant on the overun ! I saw the G50 rev counter go up to about 11,000 rpm.
The G50 appeared to carburate better than the one I used to race !! Bill makes the carb needles from various sized sewing needles.

Thanks for putting it up, Mick. In case anyone out there was like me and wondering why a half scale model wouldn't be 250 cc :

Linear dimensions will be to scale

Areas will be to scale squared

Volumes (and masses) will be to scale cubed.

So a half scale engine will be 1/8 the displacement.

Ergo 62cc. Easy, aye ;) At least that's what Google threw up :blush:

Edited by Russell Burrows, 22 September 2012 - 17:33.


#5 knickerbrook

knickerbrook
  • Member

  • 1,231 posts
  • Joined: September 06

Posted 22 September 2012 - 16:23

Absolutely incredible :eek: !
I assume they are one-offs and not for sale? Great feature for one of the classic mags I'd have thought.
.... and I want one :lol: !

#6 fil2.8

fil2.8
  • Member

  • 19,496 posts
  • Joined: October 07

Posted 22 September 2012 - 17:03

Absolutely incredible :eek: !
I assume they are one-offs and not for sale? Great feature for one of the classic mags I'd have thought.
.... and I want one :lol: !



get on , Barry :well: , I reckon the Fosters cans are oversized .................................. :lol: :wave:

brilliant though :love: :up:


#7 Stu Pidman

Stu Pidman
  • Member

  • 60 posts
  • Joined: August 09

Posted 23 September 2012 - 00:46

The Fosters can is 440ml not 375ml.
Anyone who can produce such gems deserves the extra beer.
I wish I had known when I lived just out of Maidstone.
I'm off to buy a slab of Fosters to see if it improves my ability to make something other than a mess.

#8 billlawrence

billlawrence
  • Member

  • 165 posts
  • Joined: August 12

Posted 05 October 2012 - 03:22

The Fosters can is 440ml not 375ml.
Anyone who can produce such gems deserves the extra beer.
I wish I had known when I lived just out of Maidstone.
I'm off to buy a slab of Fosters to see if it improves my ability to make something other than a mess.




How about this littel gem Bill Lawrence

http://www.wimp.com/tiniestengine/


#9 Stu Pidman

Stu Pidman
  • Member

  • 60 posts
  • Joined: August 09

Posted 05 October 2012 - 23:53

Amazing.
There are some very clever people in this world.
I tried the Fosters but I only made a bigger mess.