Bristol Hercules 14 Cylinder Sleeve Valve Radial Engine Run

**liverpool annie** · 09-29-2008, 10:46 AM

Thought you guys might get a kick out of this !!

In 1986 the Bristol Freighter ZK-CPT ('Merchant Courier') was flown into Omaka Aerodrome (Blenheim, New Zealand) and retired. The aircraft engines were subsequently run on several occasions, but this has not occurred for over 20 years.

Enter Alastair Marshall - ex RNZAF Engine Technician, now commercial pilot, and a piston engine enthusiast. Over the past few months, Al has been working on the two Bristol Hercules engines on the aircraft, with the goal of getting the old girl to come to life once more.

On 13th June 2008, Stage 1 of the project was completed - the port engine was successfully run for the first time in over two decades. Well, done that man!

We look forward to Stages Two (starboard engine run) and Three (a full aircraft taxi) soon!

YouTube - Bristol Hercules 14 Cylinder Sleeve Valve Radial

**David Layne** · 09-29-2008, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by liverpool annie

Thought you guys might get a kick out of this !!

In 1986 the Bristol Freighter ZK-CPT ('Merchant Courier') was flown into Omaka Aerodrome (Blenheim, New Zealand) and retired. The aircraft engines were subsequently run on several occasions, but this has not occurred for over 20 years.

Enter Alastair Marshall - ex RNZAF Engine Technician, now commercial pilot, and a piston engine enthusiast. Over the past few months, Al has been working on the two Bristol Hercules engines on the aircraft, with the goal of getting the old girl to come to life once more.

On 13th June 2008, Stage 1 of the project was completed - the port engine was successfully run for the first time in over two decades. Well, done that man!

We look forward to Stages Two (starboard engine run) and Three (a full aircraft taxi) soon!

YouTube - Bristol Hercules 14 Cylinder Sleeve Valve Radial

My first airplane ride was in one of these. In 1959 Mum, Dad, sister, myself and the family Ford Prefect flew from Southend to Ostend. We then drove to Munchen Gladbach and stayed with one of my fathers crew members that had made the Air Force his career.

**Antipodean Andy** · 09-29-2008, 06:15 PM

Oh my, my, my. That is glorious. About as close as we'll get to the sound of a Beaufighter for a while!

**Adrian Roberts** · 09-29-2008, 07:51 PM

This should be filed under "music" (at least when it warmed up)!

Can any of you think of any aircraft still flying with Hercules engines? I can't. There are no Bristol Freighters flying. The Blenheim has Pegasus engines.

**Antipodean Andy** · 09-29-2008, 11:54 PM

Blenheim has Mercuries? Not many operational examples of those either. Same for the Peggy.

That's a good point, AR. Can't think of any. Is the Vickers Viking in South Africa operational? The last flying Varsity was retired in by the RAE in the early 90s. Perhaps that was the last time Hercules were heard?

**Adrian Roberts** · 09-30-2008, 08:20 PM

The Blenheim has Pegasus engines
Blenheim has Mercuries?

Sorry, yes, Mercuries.

The are some Hawker Sea Furies flying with the Bristol Centaurus, the final development of the Bristol radial..

**Kyt** · 10-01-2008, 04:48 AM

A Nord 2501 (Hercules powered Noratlas) F-AZVM is still flying:

Photos: Nord N-2501 Noratlas Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

**Adrian Roberts** · 10-01-2008, 08:03 PM

That peice of research must have taken a bit of lateral thinking!

**Kyt** · 10-01-2008, 08:20 PM

I am to please

**Antipodean Andy** · 10-02-2008, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by Kyt

A Nord 2501 (Hercules powered Noratlas) F-AZVM is still flying:

Photos: Nord N-2501 Noratlas Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

Well done, mate. I was working down those lines as well as something was nagging at me about the Nord but I couldn't find reference to it. Quick, let's steal it. Morse'll have pilot's notes for it surely, so he can fly otherwise we'll just taxi it somewhere.