Pre WW2 or WW2 era Conrod - Italian or British?

[fbergo86]

Hi all,

I've received this connecting Rod from a person saying it could be fro an aircraft.
I live in Italy and the area was full of aerial fight and crashed.

The conrod is in alluminium with some stamp on it: B10 - GA123 and on one side 11496 and on the other side 887 and V XIX MAT. 71301/39079.
Do you have any idea of the aircraft to whom it pertain?

Thanks a lot for the help.

 

[Bretoal2]

Aluminum connecting rods - or more likely duralumin - is quite rare on aero engines.

De Haviland Gipsy engine and all its derivatives used such connecting rods, with a cap tightened by 4 bolts.

In Italy, Alfa-Romeo had a license of these engines and notably produced the Alfa-Romeo 110 (licensed Gipsy Major).

It would be interesting to know the exact bores of conrod big end and small end... as its length.

Regards e tanti saluti.

 

[fbergo86]

Thanks.
Actually also the serial starting with "MATR" (standing more for Italian "matricola" then the english "serial" ) lead more to an italian engine..
The overall length is 29.6cm (center to center 24cm). 4.5cm head width and 2.9cm body width.
The top bolts are 1.3 cm width and 1.1 long

Could be dated before WW2?

 

[Bretoal2]

The overall and centre to centre dimensions you give are those of a De Haviland Gipsy aero engine or an Alfa Romeo 110 or 115 (4 or 6 cylinders).

In addition, the oil hole between the conrod cap bolts is quite characteristic.

Could we have a photo of the inner face of this cap after dismantling the four bolts ?

As for the date, if the connecting rod is Alfa-Romeo as I think it is, V XIX could mean "Maggio, Era fascista 19", i.e. May 1941.

Saluti

 

[fbergo86]

Thanks.
Yes I suppose you're right.
It should be the conrod of an Alfa engine.
Also quite uncommon seems from internet.

Here some photos of oil holes

 

[Bretoal2]

Thanks.
"Could we have a photo of the inner face of this cap after dismantling the four bolts ?" = I meant, I want to see the mating face (joint face) of the cap. Can you disassemble the cap ?

 

[fbergo86]

Here.
Can you confirm if it is Alfa?
Is there a way to understand if it is pre war and on which aircraft?

Thanks

 

[Bretoal2]

If my reading "Era Fascista" is correct, the engine has been produced in May 1941, i.e. during the first years of the war.

It is not possible to find more, as the Gipsy Major and Gipsy Six (Alfa Romeo 110 and 115) had exactly same cylinders, pistons, conrod, etc.

Wikipedia (english) lists 8 different airplanes powered by the Alfa Romeo 110, and 18 for the A/R 115.

Regards

 

[pbehn]

That con rod is far too pretty to be put in an engine.

 

[Bretoal2]

That con rod is far too pretty to be put in an engine.

What do you mean ? A conrod should be ugly to be an aero part ?