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Author Topic: Unknown British Stirling Engine  (Read 1633 times)

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Unknown British Stirling Engine
« on: April 12, 2019, 10:35:52 pm »
I initially saw this, and assumed by the looks of it that it would be maybe an early variant of a Pheonix Engines stirling. But when I flipped it over, it was stamped "Made in Great Britain". It was purchased off ebay from a midwestern state, if i recall correctly.
  The firebox was designed for dry fuel tabs, with a small recess for a tab. It had some rust and pitting, so it was wire brushed, cleaned and sprayed vht satin black as original.
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Everything else got a cleaning and light polish. It runs well using a burner I had around. A video will follow once paint has cured.
 I have pictured it alongside my Phoenix Solar Engines stirling for reference and comparison. Any info on maker or vintage is appreciated! [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ]
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Bennydaheeb

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Re: Unknown British Stirling Engine
« Reply #1 on: April 12, 2019, 10:44:53 pm »
Benny, looks like you found yourself a Davies-Charlton from the Isle of Man  ;)
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Nick

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Re: Unknown British Stirling Engine
« Reply #2 on: April 12, 2019, 10:56:38 pm »
Thanks, Nick. A quick search found a history of the company-quickly scanning showed it to be interesting and centered more around model aircraft engines. There was a mention of stirling but not much. I have some bedtime reading ahead, thanks for the info.
It's interesting how similar the designs are between the two makers.
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Bennydaheeb

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Re: Unknown British Stirling Engine
« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2019, 04:03:33 am »
Quote from: Dr.Rev.DelmarMacReady on April 12, 2019, 10:56:38 pm
Thanks, Nick. A quick search found a history of the company-quickly scanning showed it to be interesting and centered more around model aircraft engines. There was a mention of stirling but not much. I have some bedtime reading ahead, thanks for the info.
It's interesting how similar the designs are between the two makers.

I have been looking for one of these for a while.

There was a great article on the history of the company in Model Engine News in 2010.

http://modelenginenews.org/people/dc_ltd.html
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Re: Unknown British Stirling Engine
« Reply #4 on: April 13, 2019, 05:52:39 am »
the US Pheonix Engines stirling is basically a "knock off" of this much earlier UK engine, I say "knock off" but not really they no doubt copied the design but a long time after they stopped being made in the UK
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Re: Unknown British Stirling Engine
« Reply #5 on: April 13, 2019, 09:49:37 am »
When sourcing mine I was told that Phoenix acquired the rights to it from DC.  I think PM Research in turn took over at Phoenix demise.

Certainly my DC and Phoenix are stamped with their respective names on the underside of the base.
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Re: Unknown British Stirling Engine
« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2019, 12:40:37 pm »
Quote from: 34046 on April 13, 2019, 09:49:37 am
When sourcing mine I was told that Phoenix acquired the rights to it from DC.  I think PM Research in turn took over at Phoenix demise.

Certainly my DC and Phoenix are stamped with their respective names on the underside of the base.

I am assuming this will be an early version, before the company was moved to Isle of Man then. Mine has only "Made in Great Britain" stamping
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Bennydaheeb

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Re: Unknown British Stirling Engine
« Reply #7 on: April 13, 2019, 12:52:21 pm »
The historical records of the company only shows the hot air engine as being made in the Isle of Man.

The main production line was model aircraft engines. Ebay UK has examples listed at present . Just enter  D C engines in the search box.

Why it has made in GB stamped on it when IOM is not part of the UK is puzzling.


An extract from a sales listing which shows the box with the IOM address on it.

D C Hot Air Engine
In excellent working order

All original and in great condition

Made by Davis Charlton ( the aircraft engine makers )  in Douglas I O M .

A very rare find in this condition.

Complete with instruction sheet.

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Re: Unknown British Stirling Engine
« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2019, 01:29:45 pm »
Quote from: 34046 on April 13, 2019, 12:52:21 pm
The historical records of the company only shows the hot air engine as being made in the Isle of Man.

Why it has made in GB stamped on it when IOM is not part of the UK is puzzling.
I agree. Every one of these I have seen so far has been listed IOM.
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Bennydaheeb
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