Debra
04-27-2007, 04:28 PM
Hi Clarence - I really enjoyed your column about the Super Cyclone engine in the June '07 MAN. I would like buy a copy of the Frank Anderson Blue Book you said was described in your Dec. '06 column.
I can't find my Dec. '06 issue anywhere. Could you please send that contact info to me so I can order a copy of the Blue Book 4th Edition - Thanks.
Also, your call-out comment about being accused of using too much oil in the fuel mix caught my eye. I recall one day back in the summer of 1946 when three or four of us kids had pooled our meager resources to mail-order a Forster .29 engine. I believe the price was then $18.75 plus postage.
When that truly beautiful little engine arrived, we read the break-in directions and discovered the recommended fuel mixture was 1 part SAE 70 weight oil to 3 parts white gas. We walked all over this little town of then 2,000 population, visiting every gas station and garage in search of such heavy oil. There was lots of 40 and 50 weight, but no 70. Finally, we found a single dusty quart-sized can of the required 70-oil standing on a back shelf at the Studebaker auto dealership garage in town back then.
In delight, we bought the 70 weight oil along with a gallon of white gas, mixed it by shaking in a glass fruit jar and filled the Forster's little fuel tank with an eye dropper.
After several hours of slowly running the engine, which had been carefully mounted to a work bench and swinging an oversized free-flight prop, we pronounced the Forster properly broken in and put it into a Zombie free-flight model.
Yes, there was a good bit of blue exhaust smoke involved and our fingers did get pretty greasy in the process, but the whole experience was like a passionate act of love for us kids and in mind's eye, I can still see that sweet little Forster engine humming along. Those were wonderful times.
Keep up the good work, Clarence. Your words and memories strike many familiar chords for guys like me. - J.
Thanks for the nice letter. Your experience with the Forster 29 brings back some old memories at this end. My first engine, however, was a Bunch Mighty Midget bought in 1938 and installed in a Megow Quaker Flash.
in 1938 and installed in a Megow Quaker Flash.
For purchasing info on the Anderson Blue Book, see Frank's ad in the classified section of the June issue.
Clarence Lee
I can't find my Dec. '06 issue anywhere. Could you please send that contact info to me so I can order a copy of the Blue Book 4th Edition - Thanks.
Also, your call-out comment about being accused of using too much oil in the fuel mix caught my eye. I recall one day back in the summer of 1946 when three or four of us kids had pooled our meager resources to mail-order a Forster .29 engine. I believe the price was then $18.75 plus postage.
When that truly beautiful little engine arrived, we read the break-in directions and discovered the recommended fuel mixture was 1 part SAE 70 weight oil to 3 parts white gas. We walked all over this little town of then 2,000 population, visiting every gas station and garage in search of such heavy oil. There was lots of 40 and 50 weight, but no 70. Finally, we found a single dusty quart-sized can of the required 70-oil standing on a back shelf at the Studebaker auto dealership garage in town back then.
In delight, we bought the 70 weight oil along with a gallon of white gas, mixed it by shaking in a glass fruit jar and filled the Forster's little fuel tank with an eye dropper.
After several hours of slowly running the engine, which had been carefully mounted to a work bench and swinging an oversized free-flight prop, we pronounced the Forster properly broken in and put it into a Zombie free-flight model.
Yes, there was a good bit of blue exhaust smoke involved and our fingers did get pretty greasy in the process, but the whole experience was like a passionate act of love for us kids and in mind's eye, I can still see that sweet little Forster engine humming along. Those were wonderful times.
Keep up the good work, Clarence. Your words and memories strike many familiar chords for guys like me. - J.
Thanks for the nice letter. Your experience with the Forster 29 brings back some old memories at this end. My first engine, however, was a Bunch Mighty Midget bought in 1938 and installed in a Megow Quaker Flash.
in 1938 and installed in a Megow Quaker Flash.
For purchasing info on the Anderson Blue Book, see Frank's ad in the classified section of the June issue.
Clarence Lee