1942 – 4366 Evinrude Sportsman – Copper Fuel Tank!?

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  • December 24, 2015 at 4:25 pm #3260
    mikele86
    Participant

      Hi All,

      Rebuilding my 4366 sportsman and I noticed the recoil is plastic and after thinking the fuel tank was full of sludge from how heavy it was, found out the fuel tank is made of copper!! Very cool! 😛 I’m curious as to how many of these were made during this time. I’m finding out that this was during the WW2 era so metal was needed. Any clue how many of these were made? Is this rare?

      December 26, 2015 at 3:31 am #29231
      garry-in-michigan
      Participant

        Lifetime Member

        At the time that Sportsman was built (1941 – ’42) most US aluminum was being turned into airplane parts. Two thirds of which were being quickly shipped to England. This resulted in a severe aluminum shortage. To keep up production, some parts were made of Bakelite, some brass or coper, some even reverted to cast iron. That Bakelite starter housing is VERY rare. Most from that era have been broken. Bakelite propellers never made it through testing. That they were considered showed real desperation . . . 😀

        December 26, 2015 at 5:41 pm #29242
        mikele86
        Participant
          quote Garry in Tampa:

          At the time that Sportsman was built (1941 – ’42) most US aluminum was being turned into airplane parts. Two thirds of which were being quickly shipped to England. This resulted in a severe aluminum shortage. To keep up production, some parts were made of Bakelite, some brass or coper, some even reverted to cast iron. That Bakelite starter housing is VERY rare. Most from that era have been broken. Bakelite propellers never made it through testing. That they were considered showed real desperation . . . 😀

          Thanks Gary! How can I find out how many of these were made?

          December 26, 2015 at 5:57 pm #29245
          jeff-register
          Participant

            US Member

            Yes,
            Garry is so right as Dec 41 was Pearl bombing so we were in the war after that. Everything changed, Very hard to get gas or tires too along with sweets for the troops. My Dad flew a General over after Japs gave up & lived on occupied Japan. He came back with canteens full of mercury for switches. It wasn’t until after the cold war the cars got the OK to chrome up everything again.
            Yes, Not only was the marine business changed but to include the world too.

            December 26, 2015 at 6:15 pm #29249
            1946zephyr
            Participant

              Magnesium was commonly a substitute for aluminim, as well. Rick Nelsons plane was a good example.

              December 26, 2015 at 6:23 pm #29252
              jeff-register
              Participant

                US Member

                46,
                Is that why it burned so hot & fast? The public thought it was the cocaine he was smoking ! That was an old C-47 correct? I’m way off a copper gas tank, I’m done.

                December 26, 2015 at 8:13 pm #29254
                green-thumbs
                Participant

                  US MEMBER PAY BY CHECK

                  The transition from a free market peace time economy to a centrally directed war time economy was neither smooth nor fully planned. Be that as it may when the economy was fully on a war time footing it delivered on time, in full and below estimate. The transition back to a free market economy was equally difficult for all concerned. The outboards from just before and just after WW2 in some cases show expedient material or design changes
                  Factory and post factory changes allow us to see history a little more clearly at the grass roots level. Written and the real history experienced day to day are seldom the same story.
                  Louis

                  December 26, 2015 at 9:32 pm #29255
                  1946zephyr
                  Participant
                    quote Jeff Register:

                    46,
                    Is that why it burned so hot & fast? The public thought it was the cocaine he was smoking ! That was an old C-47 correct? I’m way off a copper gas tank, I’m done.

                    Yes, the public thought he was doing cocaine, but further research found that a faulty heater was the cause. There was at least one pilot who survived and gave his testamony. The plane actually made it to the ground before it was consumed by fire.
                    Yes that was a "gooney bird" that built toward the end of the war, during the aluminum shortage. The aluminum made ones didn’t die that easily. 😀

                    http://articles.latimes.com/1987-05-29/ … ick-nelson

                    December 27, 2015 at 2:27 am #29264
                    jeff-register
                    Participant

                      US Member

                      Yes, I knew he was on the ground. The C-47 was different than the DC-3. All were Gooney Birds from the front. Brings to mind the other group who sang I can’t change ran aground because they ran dry of fuel. That too could of been avoided too. Didn’t Ricks get a full renovation too. Makes a guy wonder who was in charge in making the heater safe too. My Dad flew the C-47 in the war & mostly was a transport plane & in service in 1941. Still see one flying around or in storage here in the desert. The Concord was back in the news saying it may fly again in a few years. We shall see or a newer build that’s faster & better.

                      December 27, 2015 at 2:49 am #29266
                      1946zephyr
                      Participant

                        What is the difference between the DC-3 and C-47? I thought they were one of the same.

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