rotaryengine

this almost looks like it's been colorized. The men look so washed out, and the planes look so vivid.

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Maine Photography, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Aircraft of the Civil Air Patrol, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Reliants, Sentinels, and 108s: Classic Stinson Aircraft, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

See

This and the adjacent photo (see below) in the collection are of the same cutaway Gnome 9-cylinder rotary engine (proof stampings, wear marks and tool marks are identical in both photos). A view of the two photos at the largest resolution reveals a "Gnome Engine Company - 47 Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W." manufacturer's plate, and a serial of "Engine No. 30767". Presumably, this was a British license-built / British affiliate manufactured Gnome et Rhône 9-cylinder engine. Unfortunately, I haven't the knowledge to describe the variant of engine with any further specificity. Hopefully, another can use the engine's serial number and origin to provide more information. Unlike a radial engine, which featured a fixed cylinder block with rotating crankshaft, the rotary engine's crankshaft remains stationary and the entire cylinder block rotates. Before being cutaway for use in training, it is likely this engine was used on an aircraft (or a number of aircraft) until it was deemed unfit for further rebuild. See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnome_et_Rh%C3%B4ne

Thanks again for the information! I have updated the description for both of the images.