Gordon Burford engines

(I inadvertantly posted the following comments to the Classified ads)


The un-named Burford engine which appeared recently and was referred to as a Sabre, was a
transition model. With the following exceptions, it was identical to the 2nd model Sabre 29/35
K&B-style engine.
In 1956,following the loss of the name Sabre, Gordon ground the name out of the die, leaving a
pronounced vee on the bypass.
Production continued as before until the bloke who machined the steel- finned cylinders sold his lathe
and was unable to do any more. Gordon could not handle the large diameter bar himself and started
using a flanged drop-in liner with an aluminium finned muff. This is the engine depicted. It was
marketed as a Taipan 29/35 in a green and red Taipan box and with Taipan instructions.
The following year 1957, the first Glochief 29/35 was released. This was the Fox-style engine and it
had the same drop-in liner as the previous model.

dco

Dave,
Glad to see you involved in this discussion, particularly since you probably have more knowledge than the rest of us put together.

However, as far as I'm aware, that intermediate engine is an integral case model - I see no evidence of screws passing thru the fins into the case, looks more like the upper case has fins machined into it. It must be pretty rare, as the only other drop in, integral (Merco/veco/fox) style engine I know of was the late 60's 36 which was, to put it kindly, not a rageing success, unless you were into fishing.

Obviously, Gordon went back to the steel fin configuration soon, I had a '61 model 35PB, '61 model 49 and a bought new in '65/66 35BB after.

I had always thought that the Taipan name was reserved for the diesels, and later, the small displacement glo engines. The smallest GC I know of was the 19, which was a very nice engine, but I've never heard of a Taipan glo over 15 capacity.

Anyway, all the more reason to publish a biography of Gordon, before we all forget.

And, Please, when are you going to make some more MATE engine kits!!! I want to use my lathe.

Cheers Dave

Hi Dave, and thanks very much for your kind comments and welcome.
I am delighted to have found a forum which does not seem to be peopled by idiots!

With regard to the Taipan 29/35, which was depicted in Reply #17, "What is his Vintage Stunt Engine?"
Your comments about no hold down screws had me scrambling to look at it again. Had I missed a significant engine in the GB line-up?
However, close scrutiny reveals the fore and aft screws that go through the cylinder fins to the lower crankcase, precisely as they did in the previous steel-finned engine.
By the way, I am missing the Taipan 29/35 under discussion from my otherwise extensive collection and would be pleased to hear of one for sale or trade. The GLO-CHIEF 45 R/C shown is mine and appears un-acknowledged. This engine was not fitted with an exhaust baffle, as queried.
The Taipan 29/35 was followed by the Fox-style 29/35 in 1957 and this was the first true GLO-CHIEF, having this name engraved in the die and cast on the bypass.
Gordon reverted to the black, steel fins again for the new 1958 parallel bypass 29/35 engine. These engines came in GLO-CHIEF boxes and with GLO-CHIEF instructions, but did not have the name cast in. They also had a cast head, the last time this feature would be used.
The troublesome steel D-drive prop driver was replaced by a machined one, pressed onto a splined shaft.
The 1959 29 and 35 were the same as the 1958 models, but now had the name GLO-CHIEF on the bypass and attractive, gold anodised heads, machined from bar stock. This latter feature reduced the frequency of stripped heads, quite common in those days. Glow-plugs were very expensive in the '50s (10/9d)and younger flyers, such as myself, often went to the field without a working plug. Those fortunate to have one would pass it around. Element 'winkling' was also common. These practices placed a great strain on the threads in cast alloy heads. Japanese engines featured brass inserts for this reason.
Lastly, Maris Dislers is working on a Burford book and, sorry, there won't be any more Mates!

>sorry, there won't be any more Mates!

Too bad. Nice looking engine. http://archive.dstc.edu.au/BDU/staff/ron/mate/

David,
Sorry I didn't acknowledge your photo of the GLO CHIEF 45. This info about the SABRE/GLO CHIEF engines is really interesting, Gordon had so many variations on these engines over the years that putting a date and getting the order correct is always difficult. Could you tell me what year the first SABRE 35 was made?

>Could you tell me what year the first SABRE 35 was made?
>Peter.

Hi Peter,
No worries about the 45 and thanks.
Dating the early Burford years is very hard, with little evidence other than anecdotal to go on.
The 1st model Sabre (the Veco-style engine) was made in a .29 only and may have been out as early as late '52.
The 2nd model Sabre (the K&B-style engine)was made in both .29 and .35 and was most likely released in late 1954. Like K&Bs, the Sabre had the dreaded 'up' exhaust, often the cause of fires in a sidewinder installation.
In most cases, Gordon released next year's model just in time for Christmas sales. So that referring to a GLO-CHIEF as say a 1960 model does not rule out the likelihood that it was first released in the last few months of 1959.
regards

Well I must admit Dave's comment had me scrambling too last night to see how it was constructed and yes, two long screws down to the crankcase. At least now I know it's a '56 Taipan and not a Sabre as I'd thought it might have been. But seeing my knowledge has just been added to by Dave Owen I thought I'd add some photos of my other old Glo Chief which I now know must be the '57 model he mentioned. Maybe this thread could be a good chance to make a pictorial history of as many GB engines as possible.

But this reminds me of the time when I was maybe 14 or 15 (so it would have been around 1958) and needed a part for my GB5 fixed compression diesel. A friend drove me to Gordon's factory where he told me he had no spares left for it. But he went into a back room and came out with a brand new GB5 and told me he'd sell it to me for 10 shillings which was the equivalent of $1. Naturally I said yes so he then said he'd have to go drill it out for the needle valve because he'd never finished making it. What a guy! So there's every chance I bought the very last GB5 he ever sold

To 'Downunder'
That is the 1957 GLO-CHIEF and the 35 was somewhat less common than the 29.
Just for the record, that particular engine appears to have a liner from the last model Merco-style Burford 29/35 from the mid-60s.
The prop-driver and prop-washer are incorrect. The former was a black, steel D-drive. The needle was the short stubby type and a wire clicker was used, rather than the later pressed-steel type shown. I'll post an image later.
Great story about purchasing probably the last GB 5cc. Assumed you are referring to the GeeBee Stuntmota model?
regards

LAST EDITED ON Nov-24-03 AT 08:00 PM (CST)
 
Just realized that "dco" is David Owen, of "Owen's Engines" in Wollongong. In '83, I drove down the coast from Peter Nash's, to Dave Simon's place in Birchgrove, but whistled right on through Sydney to go to "Owen's Engines". Unfortunately, Mr. Owen was gone walkabout or something, so I just had a short chat with the elderly clerk, and marvelled over the many strange engines in the showcase. I shoulda bought some of them, but I was already approaching my legal $$$ limit, and still had to get gifts for the kids. Dang kids! Steve

Hi Steve,
Sorry I missed you all those years ago.
That 'elderly clerk' was John Abbott. He (then called Mr. Abbott) taught me to fly C/L in 1953 with my own design model and the first 'proper' engine I had, a Frog 150. I did have an earlier Frog 100, but lost the prop nut in the long grass and was unable to find a substitute (LH thread)
John won Snr Stunt at the NSW Champs '53 and '54 from memory and was a superb aerobatic flyer right up until a few years ago, flying every year at the SAM Champs in Canowindra. He introduced the Squaw to NSW, after seeing them flown in Victoria and flew them exclusively for a few years, with Frog 500s. I gave him a nice 500 back in the early '80s and guess what he built for it!
We last took his Squaw to Canowindra in 2000. He asked me to start and tune his engine, then he proceeded to go through the old pattern with confidence and precision.
After landing, I asked him whether he would like another go. He smiled and said:
"No thanks. That's my last flight and I'll stop now while I'm ahead!"
John is in his 80s now. We had afternoon tea the other day.
I'm still in Wollongong. You and I will catch up one day.
regards
Dave Owen

Dave, I just have to say, what a wonderful story re. John Abbott. I think we all send him our best wishes.

What a great topic. Facinating stuff.My first engine was a Taipan 1.5cc deisel and I just loved that little engine.
At the Nats in Albury (last year I think) I was fortunate to meet Gordon Burford. A real gentleman.
Oh for the days when we had engines manufactured here in Oz.
We all really do owe Gordon a bundle of thanks for his efforts.
3 cheers for one of our genuine pioneers in Control line

Kendon

LAST EDITED ON Dec-03-03 AT 03:07 AM (CST)
 
Thought I'd add this bit for anyone wanting some bits for similar engines in the old Glochief range. One is the NO-name and the other is the "Fox style" case. The head is missing from one engine and the square backplate from the no-name. Free to anyone who wants them. You pay the post!

LAST EDITED ON Dec-03-03 AT 07:05 PM (CST)
 
Looks like there are people wanting engines like this for their collections etc. There were 3 messages re these engines to date: David Owen, T Perry and one other. The no name one is the full finned liner one with no backplate. There are only 2 engines BUT I may have another one so I think we can keep all happy! I'm not that much into the old engines but have a couple of favourites eg Glochief 49 and DC Wildcat 5cc. NO they are not for sale!

Contact me on home e-mail [email protected] for any more info.