WWII GRUMMAN F4F WILDCAT PARKER 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 Grumman F4F Wildcat Parker Appliance Co. Engine Fuel Primer, is a manual 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 B17 Flying Fortress, the co-pilot would first select an engine and give the handle a quick pump to clear any air from the fuel lines and prime the cylinder head. The pilot 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.

This is an amazing, vintage WWII 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 under licence No. 95-28350 as the E-2 and the B-1 respectively, this P4CA 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 A-20 Havoc 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.

* Note that this Grumman F4F Wildcat comes with the standard detailed, but smaller 1/72 scale. Click on the 'Model Upgrade' option at the top of this page for the larger super detailed 1/48 scale or Ultra detailed 1/32 scale.

This Grumman F4F 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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