I’m looking for a unique Ford A that was converted for aircraft use and renamed a Straughan AL-1000 engine. It had an aluminum high compression head like in the pictures posted. There was one head sold on here maybe around 2017? Think it went to St. Louis area. Any info of anyone having this engine or seeing one would be appreciated. They were made in Oklahoma City in the mid 30’s.
Looking for a Unique Model A Engine
- Thread starter DavisAir
- Start date
nkaminar
Well-known member
First comment is that head has a unique combustion chamber design.
Second comment is that if you are looking for a museum piece than continue looking for an original engine. If you are going to fly it then I would suggest building a duplicate reproduction starting with a Burtz block.
Second comment is that if you are looking for a museum piece than continue looking for an original engine. If you are going to fly it then I would suggest building a duplicate reproduction starting with a Burtz block.
Extremely interesting. Here is a link to the (or a) plane that this engine was used in:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiley_Post_Model_A
It appears from the article that maybe one airframe exists? Anybody have any information?
Ethan Brand
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiley_Post_Model_A
It appears from the article that maybe one airframe exists? Anybody have any information?
Ethan Brand
Hi
A bit of internet sleuthing:
Barry appears to own a possibly airworthy Wiley Post Model A aircraft, NC13957...which used the subject converted Model A engine. Perhaps Barry can help you.
All this information was found in public internet databases.
Good luck. Extremely interesting.
Barry Mcclure
934 Eagle Isle Ct, Osprey, FL 34229-6876
(941) 416-2396 - Wireless
(941) 966-9715 - Landline
Regards,
Ethan Brand
A bit of internet sleuthing:
Barry appears to own a possibly airworthy Wiley Post Model A aircraft, NC13957...which used the subject converted Model A engine. Perhaps Barry can help you.
All this information was found in public internet databases.
Good luck. Extremely interesting.
Barry Mcclure
934 Eagle Isle Ct, Osprey, FL 34229-6876
(941) 416-2396 - Wireless
(941) 966-9715 - Landline
Regards,
Ethan Brand
This engine in the pictures is Barry’s engine from that aircraft. Just seeing if any other original parts were out there. I know of that one head that was posted and sold on here and that’s all. There is two aircraft left with their original engines out of maybe 13 built but maybe the engines survived are are in storage. Was supposedly one in TX but has since faded away.
rotorwrench
Well-known member
This was an obscure engine conversion for an even more obscure airplane design that was very limited in popularity and was a redesign from the original parasol winged monoplane that it started out to be. The information that is available is spotty and suspect of accuracy but it states that there were only 13 made. They mention a Ross Holmes and a Glenn Stearman as designers. Glenn Stearman should not be confused with Lloyd Stearman who was a legend in early aircraft design and one of the pioneers of aviation.
The Pietenpol Sky Camper was a more popular design and it also was set up to be able use the Ford Model A engine. That cylinder head chamber design it questionable when compared to other more modern high compression aluminum heads.
The Pietenpol Sky Camper was a more popular design and it also was set up to be able use the Ford Model A engine. That cylinder head chamber design it questionable when compared to other more modern high compression aluminum heads.
Have you posted in the EAA forum...or other older aircraft sites? I assume so..but worth asking.
Museums? How about Owls Head Maine? Great place, with lots of flying antique planes.
I had a 1948 Stinson for a while. With its original Franklin 165.
Good luck with the hunt.
Is this plane airworthy?
Ethan Brand
Museums? How about Owls Head Maine? Great place, with lots of flying antique planes.
I had a 1948 Stinson for a while. With its original Franklin 165.
Good luck with the hunt.
Is this plane airworthy?
Ethan Brand