Trolley accumulators

[chris ballance]

I found the following blog post to have an interesting description of engine starting methods, with a particular focus on WW2 trolley accumulators. I came across the post after seeing the attached photo in a tweet by Andy Bird @AndydBird and finding a comment referencing by G. Ross Sharp @GRossSharp to his blog post.

The 'Trolley Acc' – an indispensable tool of WW2

Andy Bird caption "A relaxed Flight Officer Robert George Andrew Beaumont (left) and Flight Officer David Ruddiman of 604 (Middlesex) Squadron with their Mosquito in January 1944."

 

[Wurger]

Posted by Snautzer01 in the Supermarine Spitfire thread ...

the source:

WW2 Original Air Ministry Photo & Notes - RAF Groundcrew Working Spitfire Mk IX | eBay

Listed is this Second World War World War original Air Ministry Photograph with attached notes showing ground crew about to perform a start up on a Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX of the Royal Air Force. The photograph is in good condition with minor age related handling marks and very minor staining.

www.ebay.com

 

[CATCH 22]

Posted by Snautzer01 in the Supermarine Spitfire thread ...

View attachment 686754
the source:

WW2 Original Air Ministry Photo & Notes - RAF Groundcrew Working Spitfire Mk IX | eBay

Listed is this Second World War World War original Air Ministry Photograph with attached notes showing ground crew about to perform a start up on a Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX of the Royal Air Force. The photograph is in good condition with minor age related handling marks and very minor staining.

www.ebay.com

On a side note: the second photo shows a trolley without the generator element - same as below:

The original photo and the article show the accumulator trolley with the generator - see scheme below:

Cheers!

 

[Wurger]

And a couple of pics more ...

the source; the net.

 

[chris ballance]

Rare Trolley Accumulator Renovated | Tangmere Museum

In 2016 the Museum was donated a rare early model of a Trolley Accumulator (trolley-acc) used in the Second World War to turn over aircraft engines. Unfortunately, on presentation, it was in very poor condition, the chassis was heavily rusted, requiring new parts to be made and the lid for the...

www.tangmere-museum.org.uk

 

[chris ballance]

Rare Trolley Accumulator Renovated | Tangmere Museum

In 2016 the Museum was donated a rare early model of a Trolley Accumulator (trolley-acc) used in the Second World War to turn over aircraft engines. Unfortunately, on presentation, it was in very poor condition, the chassis was heavily rusted, requiring new parts to be made and the lid for the...

www.tangmere-museum.org.uk

View attachment 686783

I was a little confused when I saw this photo, and then I realized the box with the press button switch & the tell-tell lamp is likely on the other side - the tow handle side of the cart. The blue color makes sense, but most of the wartime photos look darker. The pneumatic tire versions had be more fun to handle on muddy airfield.

 

[KSJ]

I was a little confused when I saw this photo, and then I realized the box with the press button switch & the tell-tell lamp is likely on the other side - the tow handle side of the cart. The blue color makes sense, but most of the wartime photos look darker. The pneumatic tire versions had be more fun to handle on muddy airfield.

The tyre/tire (English/American) version came later, also the charging set, a small petrol engine powered generator, was only attached when the accumulators needed charging, although some, as in the solid wheel version photo had the ACS fitted to the chassis. When on dispersal, they were usually left connected to the aircraft for 'instant readiness'