Paul, I am researching the Rotary engine for use in a Volmer
  Sportsman (VJ-22). After searching the old Volmer archives, I came
  across a fellow named Jim Moser an RV''r who installed a rotary in a
     VJ-22 air frame he acquired. The power plant seized at 400 feet in
  takeoff, and crashed. He told me the a Apex seal seized, he then sold
  of what had remained. Why am I not considering the Coot, well I do
  not like fiberglass, and the VJ is scratch built wood, a very large
  support network, with many craft flying, and it is easy to leave off
  the wheel gear, no need for that where I operate.

  Steve

  He was wrong. The engine will not stop running if an apex seal seizes
  in the slot.

  The only way to seize a rotary is to run it without oil pressure. He
     made a mistake some where. He may have forgotten to tighten the
  bolts on the oil pick up tube.

  If he ran it plugs up in the VJ22 the oil pump may have failed to
  suck oil because the pick up tube is two to three times longer. A
  worn oil pump is likely to fail to draw oil in those circumstances.

  He ran his rotary in his  RV with plugs up which is asking for
  trouble. Mazda did not design the engine to run lying on its side.
  Shear stupidity.

  Here are some pictures of his plugs up RV.

  Paul Lamar


  Again, this group provides fantastic info on the Rotary/PSRU, and
  now amphib fLying with a Rotary! Just what a guy like me needs.

  Thanks  again , Steve Carlisle


  BTW Finn Lassen started up his engine with no oil pressure due to a
  plumbing error and the throttle wide open with no load. The engine
  buzzed up to over ten thousand RPM and seized. He had to chisel it
  apart. He rebuilt it and flew it for years. I think he used the same
  e-shaft and rotors.

  Paul Lamar

  Hi the Volmer Sportsman was designed for an 85hp Continental, I
  believe. Boats are very weight sensitive; the rotary is too heavy.


  Murry I. Rozansky


  Murray, yes, you are correct about the original design. The power
  was increased to 100HP by Volmer, and many 125HP Lycoming GPU were
  used in the tractor config, later than that numerous 150HP Lycomings
  were used in the pusher config. All of these amphibs had no
  structural or engine mount re-design. Now if one was to use center
  and end housings made of aluminum, the weight would be close to those
  aircraft engines. Also, I could build up a single rotor aluminum
  based that would provide over 100HP. I think I have options with the
  rotary, but we will see.

  Thanks, Steve Carlisle

  Hi Steve, a single rotor could work quite well; they are just more
  difficult to build.  The problem with the heavier Lycomings on the
  Sportsman are that they
  eating into structural margins and/or useful load with the extra
  weight and power.  They will also sit
  deeper in the water and make it harder to get over hump speed.  What
  is the point, to burn more fuel?

  Murry I. Rozansky



  Hi, Murry, I think what you are saying is that I would be pushing
  the envelope, just like Ken with his rotary, and two stroke and
  associated CV shafts with Dog clutches and so on. I would bet he had
  a lot of fun with that aircraft. I would bet he has an open mind to
  the mechanical ideas, tried some, threw some away, all fun !

  Thanks again, Steve CCarlisle




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