The Magneto is a product of Bendix magneto division and aviation corporation Sydney N.Y. made in the USA made to Specification AN9511A 053AC286 the manufactures drawing number is 10-20700-1 Magneto type SF9LN-4 W30 ELECTRICAL OPERATION. This section is presented to assist readers in understanding the electrical operation of Scintilla magnetos. The rotating magnet has four poles of alternate polarity.

Each time the magnet rotates through a quarter turn, the polarity changes and causes the magnetic flux to flow in the oppo- site direction through the core of the coil. This reversing flux causes an alternating current to flow in the primary winding. Energy is stored in the magnetic circuit when the current flows in the primary winding.

The contact points are in series with the primary winding. When the maximum energy has been stored in the magnetic circuit, the cam lifts the cam follower which in turn separates the contact points. This breaks the primary circuit and causes a rapid change of flux in the magnetic circuit.

This flux links the secondary winding which has many turns of fine wire. The rapid change of flux due to the opening of the contact points produces the high tension spark in the secondary winding. One end of the primary winding is connected to the ground.

The other end takes an insulated path through the contact points and then back to the ground. The condenser is connected across or in parallel with the contact points and absorbs the current produced by the self-inductance of the primary circuit during the time the contact points are open, thereby pre INSTALLATION venting current from arcing across the points which would cause burning and pitting of the points. One end of the secondary winding is grounded and the other end terminates at the high tension carbon brush.

The high tension spark then goes from the high tension carbon brush to the centrally located segment in the booster collector ring. From here, it is conducted through one of the screws which hold the booster collector ring and then to the high tension segment on the distributor cylinder. The spark then jumps to the distributor block electrodes and through the spark plugs and back to the ground.

The booster current comes through the booster cable which is connected to the booster terminal marked “H.” From here, the current goes to the booster electrode, booster collector ring, and through one screw which secures the booster collector ring. It then is conducted to the booster segment in the distributor cylinder and across to the distributor block electrodes and spark plugs. The booster segment in the distributor cylinder trails the high tension segment and consequently gives a retarded spark.

The cable from the magneto switch is connected to the terminal marked “P” which is connected to the ground contact stud and the primary bridge of the coil. When the switch is in the “OFF” position, the primary current is not interrupted by the opening of the contact points. Thus the production of high voltage in the secondary is prevented.

Company Logo of Curtiss electric controlled constant speed, selective pitch, and feathering, propellers. The Method of the Curtiss pitch control.is an Electrical system that is a small, reversible electric motor that regulates the blade angle change of the Curtiss electric propeller. The electric current for operating this motor is obtained from the airplane’s power battery..

This motor, through a series of gears, drives a power gear that in turn meshes with a gear attached to the shank of each blade. The electric motor, reduction gears, and power gear are part of a compact unit called the power unit, which is mounted on the front face of the hub. Curtiss propeller power gear that was found at RAF Burtonwood

Photo Below is Part of The Exhaust System. It is a Starboard-Side Exhaust Manifold Sleeve From a P-47 Thunderbolt. The Part Numbers Stamped On it Are: BUHL 171-2-2 89P87132 2 C-89-67-132-2 89-prefixed parts are from a P-47.

The letter indicates which section of the airframe it belongs in, P = powerplant, i.e. the engines and related items. The next two letters indicate the subsystem, 67 = Installation, Exhaust System. This is a sleeve from a P-47 starboard-side exhaust manifold section joint.

The matching sleeve for the port side is 89P67132-3. Found at Burtonwood 23rd of June 2013. (Thanks again to Paul Bellamy for his help finding out what this item was for and which aircraft it was fitted on as well)

Photo Below is Part of The Exhaust System From a B-24 Liberator. The Part Numbers Stamped On it Are: 1-2884 SOLAR 32P1721 32-prefixed parts are from a B-24. Again, the letter indicates which section of the airframe it belongs in, thus 32P = B-24 powerplant.

This is an exhaust section from between one of the the forward bank of cylinders and the collector ring. Solar is the sub-contractor who supplied this particular part, the Solar Aircraft Co. Found at Burtonwood 23rd of June 2013. (Thanks again to Paul Bellamy for his help finding out what this item was for and which aircraft it was fitted on as well)

Newcomer. We would just like to mention here that we were contacted by a very proud mum (Jayne) asking us if we could help out with information regarding the history and layout of the USAAF Burtonwood base during WW2. The story goes that after buying a house in the Chapelford area of Warrington Jayne’s 12 Year old daughter Megan became extremely interested in the history of the USAAF Burtonwood base.

And after after a few emails to each other Megan & her brother Aaron joined me and Malcolm on the base detecting for WW2 aircraft parts today the 26th of May 2013. Here below is their photo of Megan holding the waste gate shroud in her hands that we all found. Me & Malcolm are very proud of this young girl’s interest and we applaud her.

Recent Aircraft Discoveries

New aircraft findings and archaeological discoveries in the local area, including recovered artefacts and documentation of crash sites that continue to be investigated by aviation historians.