Hello Guys,

As I approach my eighties I find I have less and less desire to machine compared to the passion it once was. Though unlikely for the most part there are still some projects that I would like to see achieved but, there are two that most definitely won't be.

One is the Lew Blackmore Bentley BR2 nine cylinder rotary engine started so long ago and the other a more recent nine cylinder radial engine to the Volker Jung design.

Much work has been done on the major parts of the Bentley

Further images of individual parts I have posted in my albums. There is still much enjoyable machining to do however.

Work has been carried out using the drawings from the original article in ME, the errata published by Prof. Chaddock and from Lew Blackmores book plus amendments of my own to errors found in all (including the errata!)

The standard of work should be able to be gauged from the images. The bearings are all commercial save the thrust race which is home made from EN40b and professionally nitride heat treated. Gears are also commercial. There is also stainless material for the valves, the correct clock spring for the volute valve springs and ceramic tubing for the plugs. All of the above has been carefully stored and is in excellent condition.

All the tooling, jigs and fixtures made for are also with it.

The Jung radial engine has the full set of drawings from Modelltechnic

and a collection of roughed out aluminium parts and materials including the called for steel for the crankshaft. and cam roller and enough cast iron for six of the nine liners. There is also a wire eroded (cut) internal bronze gear along with two commercial gears. The only head start is the roughing of the parts. All aluminium is HE30 (6082)

If anyone has an interest in taking either of these projects on for themselves I have placed them in the For Sale section. As I have no idea what to ask however so am open to offers from anyone with a desire to pick up where I've left off.

If anyone is interested then a PM in the first instance will set things in motion

Regards – Tug

Morning guys, thanks for the kind comments.

Yes Emgee, the hours spent were countless over many years span but all very pleasurable and rewarding however it is time to be realistic – and as you say Martin 'pushed for time' sums it up perfectly.

Sorry to disappoint Bernie – hope you are well.

Regards – Tug

Hi guys, thanks for the comments and to all those who have looked in.

First off I must say that I recieved a firm offer first thing this morning which I was happy to accept. Discussion on that is ongoing and I see no reason why that should not happen but if it doesn't then I'll let people know.

Second off is something I must stress – getting old I may be but I do not want to leave anyone with the impression that I am close to some kind of premature end. Yes Ady it is catching up with me but I'm not going under quite yet

My life has been blessed with making models – a passion that began with Meccano aged four – through model aircraft and into model engineering with several tangential paths along the way. I'm not fed up with it per se just a general tireness of it on a day to day basis.

Disposing of these two projects is the first step in a planned 'retirement' from active modelling and moving toward something more passive in my eighties. I've ayear or two to go yet but once the marine engine is done then it's time to really hang the overall on the door – the more sedate plastic modelling has an attraction and that 'Ship Book' pile has grown since Doc G first mentioned it on here – something awaiting those armchair moments rather than standing in front of milll or lathe.

Regards and again my thanks – Tug

Edited By Ramon Wilson on 24/08/2021 22:15:39