1610 W. Allegan St. Lansing Michigan 48915
‘WHAT IS IT’, of the March-April issue is indeed a
‘Flamelicker’ From the illustration, it appears to be
identical with mine which is 7?’ long at the base with a
5?’ flywheel. I have seen only one other and that one is
somewhat smaller in size.
Apart from the burner and the flame shield, Mr. Peterson’s
appears to lack a screw plug which covers the oiler (opposite end
from the whistle). The burner is a screw-in type with wick similar
to an oil lamp. The flame shield is triangular in shape when viewed
from either end. The front is 1?’ wide, about 2′ deep with
the left side relieved to provide clearance for the slide valve
actuating arm. It is hinged on a wire at the top.
My engine had obviously been operated on kerosene, but I use
alcohol as it’s much cleaner. The engine runs well, but
develops very little power. The water reservoir above the cylinder
does not hold much and begins to steam merrily after just a few
minutes operation.
There is a small grooved pulley which may be missing from Mr.
Peterson’s engine.
They are fascinating and somewhat temperamental, more so than
‘conventional’ hot-air engines. Mine takes quite a lot of
heat to get started, then the wick can be turned down. The whistle,
actually regulates travel of an aluminum ball valve, and usually
needs up or down adjustment to get the engine started.
The name plate is missing from my engine. It is inscribed:
Vacuum Rotor
Rotor Corporation of America Dayton, Ohio Patents applied for
Serial 4995
The above is from the only other ‘Flame licker’ I’ve
actually seen. It’s owner received it as a gift, about 45 years
ago, he believes. I have been told that it was at some times shown
in a Sears Roebuck catalog.
I would be grateful if any other readers could provide me with
the proper name-plate, as described above.
On another subject, while seeking additions to my collection of
old radiator emblems, I came across a catalog, undated, from The
Remington Oil Engine Company, New York. They manufactured crude oil
engines in three series, for marine and industrial applications.
They were compression ignition type, and starting
involved–‘the: hollow cast-iron projection rising from the
cylinder head is heated by the kerosene torch furnished with the
engine—‘ When hot, a charge of oil is injected into the
cylinder by means of a hand lever, flywheel is turned backwards to
compress the charge and it then fires.
I do not recall seeing mention of this particular make in the
two years or so that I’ve been a reader of your most enjoyable
publication.
Let me add one further note of admiration of those talented
individuals who produce those beautiful scale-model gas engines,
like Mr. Himes (page 34) Mr. Schnur from Alvoordton, Ohio and
others. I’d really like to find one of these, or perhaps a
small ‘salesman’s sample’ (were any made?) of the hit
and miss type.
