Thread: Shotgun Starts
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Old October 3rd 05, 03:04 AM
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It's a Coffman, or Eclipse starter. Gun gases spun a wheel, which
could also be spun by hand or foot treadle, an electric motor, or other
means in some versions.

They were not totally unique to aircraft, a few were used in military
vehicles and other oddball applications.

They were generally junked and replaced by direct drive electric
starters when they became available.

Cartridge start was also used on jets. Various bombers and fighters
have had cartridge start, as did some civilian aircraft. Boeing 727s
sometimes had cartridge start on the center engine (don't ask me how I
know...) so the aircraft could start if it diverted to a field with no
start cart. You had one shot, then you called out the recovery team. I
think United had a Lear for things like that, otherwise, another
revenue aircraft had to be internal-chartered, if no other airline had
a maintenance presence on field.