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12-28-2010 06:06 PM | |
williame3590 |
Re: Rocket ignition Here is the complete story about Rocket engines thanks to my friend Warren over on RCG. Super interesting and I will never buy another GM product!! Bill "The 1945 Rocket Victor Model was a development of the 1940 May "Silver King" manufactured in Detroit by George May. World War II brought an end to the May "Rockets" and by 1945, the engine was made by Corporate Products, Inc,. still in Detroit. Production (and the company) apparently ceased by 1947 and the product was sold off by Little Mike Marx Toy Co. for as little as $4.50. The demise of Rocket Motors has been linked to General Motors! When GM was about to launch the Olds 88 "Rocket" their marketing people discovered the Rocket model engine - not wanting brand name competition, GM bought the Rocket Motor operation and crushed all the dies. The engine offered here has several features which distinguish it from many of the Rocket Victors of 1945. The back cover has the tank mounting rim that was used for the streamline tank on the 1940 "Silver King" - my guess is that this casting was never changed and that most of the production engines had the rim machined off and at some point is was decided tht it was not necessary to remove it. Note that the line drawing above does not show this rim but it is very apparent in several of the photos below. Of more consequence, some of the Victors had a small set screw in the bottom of the case extension to retain the main bearing - this engine has that setscrew. The Rocket Victor is a beautiful engine which exudes that styling of the 1940s. The engine case can be polished to a brilliant shine; I have not polished this engine - it is in the basic "as sold" bright condition. The engine is tight with excellent compression and I can't tell if it has been used. The tank bowl is original. One more Rocket model came out in 1946, the Rocket "4610" with an enclosed timer and a hex-shaped venturi and separate tank - the last of the line. A marvelous metal sculpture that runs. Look at that nice timer arm casting - wonder how many of those survived flying? The Rocket Victor utilized many steel stamping for internal parts and these parts were heavily case hardened, making them quite strong. The wrist pin arrangement is rather unique as the brass piston baffle is held in place by the wrist pin carrier nut. The engine has a reputation of being very strong if not over-revved. Some reproduction parts are currently available. The Rocket was heavily advertised in the immediate post-war era as one of the first engines to hit the market and had a price tag of $22.50, less coil and condenser. Photos in ads do not show the back cover rim. Ads stated: "The quick starting and thrilling performance of the new, improved Rocket Victor Motor are due to the patented Rotor Intake Valve in connection with special tested parts. Every Rocket Motor is bench tested at the factory and the most exacting care is taken in the manufacturing operations." The advertised displacement was .460 cu. in." |
12-28-2010 05:59 PM | |
williame3590 |
Re: Rocket ignition Pretty soon Bill Floridians will be coming here for the winter, I need to get a couple of rental cottages In the mean time maybe we could send them some skis for thier models Bill |
12-28-2010 05:03 PM | |
CdnFlyer |
Re: Rocket ignition I was talking today on Skype to one of my flying mates who is in Venice, FL. In the last month he has only been out flying twice. Several nights it has been below freezing, windy most of the time, and colder than normal for that area. He is looking forward to getting back home here for our Frost Fly on Saturday morning. |
12-28-2010 11:11 AM | |
williame3590 |
Re: Rocket ignition The little red head that used to work for you John Happy New Year. Better take your hat and mitts to Florida Bill |
12-28-2010 09:35 AM | |
JohnM |
Re: Rocket ignition Bill: Who baked the cookies? Does not look like your work. Happy New Year! John M. |
12-23-2010 02:11 PM | |
williame3590 |
Re: Rocket ignition That is the timing lever Bill, to retard and advance the timing. There is also a couple of contact points on there for the ignition wires. Bill |
12-23-2010 01:38 PM | |
CdnFlyer |
Re: Rocket ignition Hey Bill, what is that metal projection upright behind the propeller?? I know nothing about those vintage engines, so it may be a naive question. |
12-23-2010 01:09 PM | |
williame3590 |
Re: Rocket ignition It's a secret....... Bill |
12-23-2010 12:23 PM | |
Guest |
Re: Rocket ignition thats cool. where did you manage to pick that up? here is my old motor.not a rc but cool never the less. its a 1947 merc rocket. runs like a top.all original factory plugs and cork floats in the carb. |
12-23-2010 11:40 AM | |
williame3590 |
Rocket ignition Just wanted to show off another vintage motor I received a couple of days ago. A Rocket Victor 454 ignition engine from 1945, virtually no run time on this engine and in perfect condition. Very to say the least. Bill |