LOCKHEED ELECTRA PARKER P4CA FUEL PRIMER PUMP

Many of the early military fighters and and smaller civilian aircraft like the Lockheed Electra 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 Lockheed Electra, 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. 

The handle would be pumped 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, cargo transports and civilian airliners employed an electric priming system which used small electric in-tank pumps powered by the aircraft’s main battery system.

Mounted just below the Electra’s central Throttle Column to the right of the aircraft’s manual fuel pump 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. 

This is an amazing, vintage  new/old stock find, which is not only fully functioning, but also comes complete with its original attachment fittings, seals, instructions and packing box. 

Manufactured for the USAAF, USN & civilian market under licence No. 95-28350 as the E-2 and the B-1 and P4CA respectively, this Parker Fuel Pump is in perfect original condition and could remain as an incredible aviation display or actually refitted to an original warbird or flying replica.

Mounted in its 100 yr old Mango Wood Display Stand with engraved plaque and highly detailed custom built 1/72 or larger 1/48 scale Lockheed Electra model atop its magnetic arm, this would really make a fantastic one-of-a-kind gift for that special aviation enthusiast in your life. 

This Lockheed Electra 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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