[ARC5] Dynamotor Maintenance

[Robert Eleazer]

My copy of TM-11-850-N, dated 4 Feb 1943, says:

 "The bearings of these dynamotors are of the sealed, ball-bearing type, packed with grease at the time of manufacture.  They will require the following additional lubrication: One drop of light lubricating oil at each bearing at the end of 500 hours of operation.  Any oil in excess of this amount will do more harm than good." 

In contrast, Tech Order No 08-10-24, dated 12 June 1936, covering the BC-224-A, has instructions for removing the end bells of the dynamotor, inspecting the brushes, and dressing up the commutator.  And after servicing the commutator the ball bearings are to be thoroughly cleaned and packed with Keystone No.44 grease or Air Corps grade No. 295.

A friend who was a maintenance officer for a P-38 recon unit in WWII explained that the prewar Air Corps had some different attitudes than were common during the war.  For example the B-18 bomber was so designed that in the event of a water landing you could run around inside putting corks in various places to ensure the airplane stayed afloat.  I guess that equipment was scarce then and needed to be preserved at all costs.

Wayne