|
|
|
||||||||
MODEL REVIEW
by Woody Sins
3 Edna Terrace
New Hartford, NY 13413
Engine: Otto-Langen 1/7th scale
Maker: Wayne Grenning
Type: Atmospheric
Availability: Finished unpainted.
Also available in 1/14 scale.
Ok, so you don't like the selection of run-of-the-mill models these days, and you don't have the resources to machine castings or design your own model. Well, this may be the answer. Here we have a 1/7th (approx) scale model of the first commercially successful internal combustion engines, and one of the most unusual models I have ever seen. It is not a four cycle engine, or even a two cycle engine, and it is also not a hot-air or steam engine, either. It is an atmospheric engine. Its cycle begins when a charge of gas and air is ignited at the bottom of a cylinder, causing a piston to be pushed upward. A rack on the piston engages a gear, but no power is transmitted due to the action of a one-way clutch. The momentum of the piston soon causes the air pressure in the cylinder to drop below that of the outside air. The piston is then drawn downward by this pressure change, and at this time, power is transmitted to the main shaft (hence the term "atmospheric"). When the piston reaches the bottom of its travel, a system of levers and cams causes another charge to be introduced into the cylinder, and the cycle repeats.
General view of the 1/7th scale Otto-Langen model
The engine is available in two flavors; small and big. They are all preassembled and tested at the factory, then the flywheel and piston guides are removed for shipping. The entire model, save the flywheel and pulley, is machined from stock, hence no casting kits. Because of alignment problems, unassembled kits are not available either. The model I have is of the larger variety. It is made from steel and brass stock, with a cast iron flywheel and pulley.
The model is quite well done, and great care was paid to detailing and cosmetics. It is not very heavy, but the high piston guides make it a bit unwieldy. It is unpainted, and it is lightly oiled to prevent rust. It comes with a finished, polyurethane-coated ply base, wiring connections, allen wrenches, and extra contact material for the ignition. It also comes with a spark plug, and care and feeding instructions. The necessary regulators and coil for running can be provided at extra cost.
View Of operating mechanism, Otto-Langen
The original Otto-Langen has flame ignition incorporated in the slide valve. For practical reasons, this was replaced with a small model airplane spark plug, which, along with all connections, is hidden the base such that all wiring is invisible. The original was water cooled and the model is not. I have run mine all day with cylinder getting only lukewarm. All other components function as on the original. The clutch is a good reproduction of the original, cosmetically, but a modern roller clutch is used for trouble free operation. The model requires a supply of gaseous fuel. I use the recommended acetylene. I also use a 6 volt buzz coil; 12 volt coils tend t wreak havoc with the timing points.
Once a model is set up as per the instructions, it is extremely easy to start, and stays running. There is no governor(the originals did not have them), and the speed is controlled by a valve on the exhaust port. There is no timing to get out of adjustment. The model is very fascinating to watch run, with all the cams and levers and ratchets and pawls doing their thing at intermittent intervals. The only problem with running the engine is that if you turn the engine backwards with the ignition on, a greater than normal charge is drawn into the cylinder, and you could destroy the engine if this is ignited. The operating instructions need to be followed closely in this regard.
I have observed the smaller example of this engine and it appears to be just as easy to operate as the large one, which is not always the case with the scale down I.C. engines. These are just as well done as the large engine, but due to the size, it is not as finely detailed. It sells for the same price as the large engine.
Overall, it is a very nice model, and a real crowd pleaser. If you can part with the substantial amount of money needed to buy it, it is definitely a worthy addition to any collection.