b-29 auxillary power unit (APU) - Aircraft of World War II

shane-g · 05-05-2008, 05:41 PM

Hello everyone, i have just been given a B-29 apu as a project engine, its a v-twin petrol engine made by andover motors corporation.I was just wondering if anyone had any manuals for the engine. thanks for looking.

shane gladman.

frcpcr · 07-23-2008, 02:30 AM

Greetings Shane,
This is proof that it is indeed a small world! I am currently restoring an APU. The tag above the throttle control indicates: Andover Motors Corp., Air Corps Type D-2 MFGS. Model-V32 Air Corps serial No. 6149...

I am a docent at our local air museum and since I ride and maintain a 67 Shovelhead they thought I'd be a good candidate to get the apu runnin!!

I have a contact for technical info. Perhaps I can help you?! Is your unit complete?

CR

newinertia · 09-01-2009, 12:09 PM

Hi guys-
I have recently acquired a Andover / Fairchild V-32 a.p.u. and would like to do a complete restoration, I do not have the generator, but everything else is there. It has 383 hours on it and was rebuilt in 1952 at 290 hrs, all good signs! I am REALLY looking for paperwork, manuals, and a way to trace its service life- i.e.
what planes it has been in, what bombing runs...... is this possible?

bvkalen · 09-30-2009, 01:20 PM

Hi, I was reading your post about the Andover V-32 auxillary power unit. I have recently acquired two of them, in crates, pickled, complete with moisture- removing spark plug inserts . They also have parts breakdown manuals and overhaul instructions. I have priced the manuals, and they are as much as $40. (yes, you can still buy them!) but if you need any specs or info, I will be happy to share.

I work for a company that used to convert Grumman HU-16 Albatrosses into 22 passenger Island hoppers for Resorts International. Apparently, during the retrofit process, they decided to do away with the APUs and crated them up and sold them for surplus. A friend of mine snatched up two of them and stuck them in his garage. Well, that was twenty years ago, and they were still there. He was cleaning out his garage, and called me and asked me if I still was interested in them. Naturally, I jumped at the opportunity.

You said that your APU was missing the generator. Well, thats a shame, because the generator is a combination generator-starter. The alternative is to start it manually, which is a drag. There should be a manual recoil starter assembly on the flywheel side of the engine.

Anyway, I would be happy to help you in any way that I can. I intend to restore my two as well, since they are complete. I may also be interested in selling them once I hear them run.

I have extensive experience in small engine repair, so if you need any tips or pointers, let me know. Good luck!!~ Bruce

05-05-2008, 05:41 PM	#1
shane-g Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1	b-29 auxillary power unit (APU) Hello everyone, i have just been given a B-29 apu as a project engine, its a v-twin petrol engine made by andover motors corporation.I was just wondering if anyone had any manuals for the engine. thanks for looking. shane gladman.

07-23-2008, 02:30 AM	#2
frcpcr Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2	B-29 APU Greetings Shane, This is proof that it is indeed a small world! I am currently restoring an APU. The tag above the throttle control indicates: Andover Motors Corp., Air Corps Type D-2 MFGS. Model-V32 Air Corps serial No. 6149... I am a docent at our local air museum and since I ride and maintain a 67 Shovelhead they thought I'd be a good candidate to get the apu runnin!! I have a contact for technical info. Perhaps I can help you?! Is your unit complete? CR

09-01-2009, 12:09 PM	#3
newinertia Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1	V-32 B-29 APU Hi guys- I have recently acquired a Andover / Fairchild V-32 a.p.u. and would like to do a complete restoration, I do not have the generator, but everything else is there. It has 383 hours on it and was rebuilt in 1952 at 290 hrs, all good signs! I am REALLY looking for paperwork, manuals, and a way to trace its service life- i.e. what planes it has been in, what bombing runs...... is this possible?

09-30-2009, 01:20 PM	#4
bvkalen Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1	RE:Andover V-32 APu Hi, I was reading your post about the Andover V-32 auxillary power unit. I have recently acquired two of them, in crates, pickled, complete with moisture- removing spark plug inserts . They also have parts breakdown manuals and overhaul instructions. I have priced the manuals, and they are as much as $40. (yes, you can still buy them!) but if you need any specs or info, I will be happy to share. I work for a company that used to convert Grumman HU-16 Albatrosses into 22 passenger Island hoppers for Resorts International. Apparently, during the retrofit process, they decided to do away with the APUs and crated them up and sold them for surplus. A friend of mine snatched up two of them and stuck them in his garage. Well, that was twenty years ago, and they were still there. He was cleaning out his garage, and called me and asked me if I still was interested in them. Naturally, I jumped at the opportunity. You said that your APU was missing the generator. Well, thats a shame, because the generator is a combination generator-starter. The alternative is to start it manually, which is a drag. There should be a manual recoil starter assembly on the flywheel side of the engine. Anyway, I would be happy to help you in any way that I can. I intend to restore my two as well, since they are complete. I may also be interested in selling them once I hear them run. I have extensive experience in small engine repair, so if you need any tips or pointers, let me know. Good luck!!~ Bruce

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