CURTISS SB2C HELLDIVER VINTAGE PARKER 401-2A MANUAL FUEL PRIMER PUMP

Many of the USAAF and USN fighters and light bombers used a manual priming system on startup. This was common for carbureted engines and operated by a small hand-operated pump located in the aircraft’s cockpit.

The priming system drew fuel from the fuel tank selector switch or from the fuel line leading to the carburettor.

The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, Parker Appliance Co. Engine Fuel Primer is a plunger-type pump where the pilot would first unlock the pump handle by twisting the small brass knurled knob under the Primer Handle. The spring-activated Pump Handle would then be pulled out to its stop. 

He would pump the handle a number of times to spray fuel into the intake manifold, depending on that aircraft’s start-up procedures for the number of strokes and engine temperatures.

In multiple engined aircraft like the B-17 Flying Fortress, the copilot would first select an engine and then reach down to the floor on his right to give the handle a quick pump to clear any air from the fuel lines and prime the cylinder head. He would then switch on the ignition and toggle the starter motor for that engine.   

Later combat aircraft and cargo transports employed an electric priming system which used small electric in-tank pumps powered by the aircraft’s main battery system.

As far as I can tell, this WWII Parker engine fuel primer pump appears to be in fully working condition, with the brass knurled locking nut revolving and the pump moving freely on its shaft spring. The whole unit can be disassembled and the only thing missing is the small red and black, round ‘ON - OFF’ identification tag that was usually placed under the three screws mounting the unit to the aircraft’s instrument panel. 

Mounted in its 100 yr old Mango Wood Display Stand with engraved plaque and highly detailed custom built SB2C Helldiver model atop its magnetic arm, this would really make a fantastic pilot gift or a one-of-a-kind gift for that special aviation enthusiast in your life. 

This Curtiss SB2C Helldiver Instrument comes complete with detailed Scale Model, Mango Wood Stand & Plaque plus Printed Fact Sheet featuring photo of instrument in aircraft cockpit.

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