Hornsby Akroyd Colour Scheme

[Paul Richardson]

According to the article Winchester,the actual engine mentioned would pretty much be assured to be an Akroyd patent engine,given the arrival date?It's entirely possible that I have missed some vital part of the picture,but I am pretty sure that the Akroyd patents were only under way for just a few years by the time that one arrived?The only possible explanation for it to 'not' be an Akroyd patent engine would be if the article research was incorrect in the first place?I see in Wikipedia there is a picture example of a Hornsby Akroyd engine, as it is shown on display at a vintage machinery show somewhere.The owners information board in the photo describe the engine as a "Hornsby Akroyd",but the engine is not an Akroyd patent engine.The example pictured is a 1905 "Hornsby" engine.
There is another engine mentioned earlier here rodneyt,and it has come up again in conversation elsewhere very recently.I will try to update that here shortly for interest sake.Perhaps it's the same engine in your article?
The article you posted points to the engine as an exciting find of sorts way back in 1960,so I am happy to assume that it will exist today as one of WA's few known surviving units of that brand.

[typak]

Of interest would be this Akroyd gas producer and Large Hornsby? engine that was mentioned on bookface back 20th August, what the story is about it and if it will be pulled out and sold or will it be left in position as it is and preserved as it should be?, image of the tag on the producer.

[Paul Richardson]

That might be something of a rare antique Kim!?I knew the designer was carrying on some kinds of engineering work here,but I'm pretty sketchy on just what.
Here are a couple of new photos Rodney,of one of the previously looked at WA engines during this thread.We were stuck for a number and a horsepower,as well as shipping date I think,while we were discussing it?The number is 1341.The fellow who passed me these photo's didn't have the horsepower information with him at the time.I think I remember my own guestimate at 12.5hp?,or possibly even 16hp?He thought it might be 16hp.Perhaps he will see this and update us?
I have sighted a 3.5hp HA stationary engine #1368 myself and was recently told that it was shipped here in 1896.I would think that 1341 would also be the same year-ish 1896?
There were other engines in the similar number range sold in the area.These would supply the newspaper with a legitimate local story,even if it turns out that the model was misquoted?

[typak]

Hi Paul, ran my eye over these today two girder and a full base portable behind the very nice Austral that caught my eye, the big girder I think is a 9 1/2? but not exactly sure, certainly a impressive engine!

[Paul Richardson]

Uhh?,..just doing a search here Kim and came across your post
Not sure how I missed this?Sorry.
The larger one is 9.5 numbered very close to #6000(#6002?)It features on the rear cover of TOMM quite a few years back.There may be as few as 3 known surviving engines of this size and style?This engine still carries the rolled lip at the top of the main governor weight and a ball pivot at the top of the governor spindle.Only a few hundred numbers later saw a subtle change in design.
The smaller engine was first recovered by Ron Kershaw in Canberra.That engine is situated in amongst the #5000's
Ron helped me to identify my own HA wreck while it was still in the archaeological stage.A really decent and helpful bloke Ron,sending me a heap of close up photos of the key identifying features of the engine above in our pre websharing days.

[Oil Power]

I have not been following this thread for a while as I had little to contribute regarding paint colour. However I have now read through the posts and feel a contribution is in order. First some background to explain my longstanding interest in Akroyd Stuart. In 1950 my parents moved to a farm where an 8 ½ BHP stationary Hornsby Akroyd No. 7,288 stood in the corner of a large shed. Aged 13, I was intrigued by this engine. It had not been run for many years and was heavily coated with oil. The only paint colour I can recollect was a bluish grey on the flywheel and traces of the decal on the cylinder. Some years later I put the engine in order and had it running on a couple of occasions. In 1958, I read in the paper that Professor D.J. Allen Williams of the University of W.A. was searching for an early Akroyd engine to restore for a coming conference of the Institute of Aeronautical Engineers in Perth. I had been given two instruction books so knew what the cooling tower of a portable Akroyd looked like. I knew where there was one of these cooling towers protruding from a farmer’s yard, so investigated. This turned out to be engine No. 1887, of 3 ½ HP and dated as 1897. When Professor Williams informed me he already had an engine I contacted the Science Museum in Melbourne. The rest is history. These photos show the engine loaded for transport to the Museum. The museum paid five pounds for the engine and ten guineas for transport from Malmsbury to Melbourne. No paint that I can recall was left on this engine. As a side note, I met a past owner of the engine years later and he recalled having his coat caught up in the governor. I wonder how often this may have happened and how the victims escaped! More on Professor Williams and the WA engine in my next post.
Hugh

[Oil Power]

Over the years I have collected quite a large file of papers relating to Akroyd Stuart, more on his life rather than details of his engines. I made up my mind that if I ever went to WA I would view the engine held by the University. It was not until 2005 that the opportunity arose. Unfortunately Professor Williams had died but his successor showed me the engine, which was protected by a Perspex cover. This cover I was told had once been removed by students and launched as a boat on the Swan River. I was also taken for a drive and shown the site of Herbert Akroyd Stuart’s old home. I was told the name “Akroyden” had been in place for many years but had been removed.
Hugh

[Oil Power]

Some more photos.
Hugh

[Wayne Timms]

Hi Hugh,

Do you think the museum turned the flywheel around because of the repair to the hub? So the damage can't be seen as easily.

Regards,
Wayne

[Oil Power]

Hi Wayne. You may be right but I don't think we will ever know.
Hugh