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18th Apr 2020, 12:06 AM #1Diamond Member
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OT - Automotive charcoal gas producer
This WWII era Nasco gas producer mounted on a sad and very overburdened early 50s Hillman was recently donated to the Laidley Pioneer Village, SE Qld. I'm a volunteer there and reckon its pretty cool, I've not seen a complete setup in the flesh before.
IMG_3343.jpg
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18th Apr 2020, 08:36 AM #2Member
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- Sep 2010
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- Port Sorell, Tasmania
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That is pretty cool Bob. I have heard about these from my father but have not seen one set up for use. They were used during second world war when petrol was rationed and were gutless as all hell compared to petrol, apparently. I saw the rusted out remnants of one in a farmers yard a little while back and was surprised by the size and weight of it. Looked like it was suited to a truck rather than a car.
Maybe there are some folk with experience in using these who will chime in.
Thanks for posting
Tony
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18th Apr 2020, 09:48 AM #3
Made by GMH.
Even has patent applied for!?
During the war?
My father made his own, l’ve seen photos of it but doubt I could find them now.
Thats a very tidy unit, from memory dad’s was quite agricultural.
Which figures as he worked for Buzacotts after a stint at Lithgow small arms.
H.Jimcracks for the rich and/or wealthy. (aka GKB '88)
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18th Apr 2020, 12:30 PM #4Senior Member
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- Nov 2007
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- Near Rockhampton
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User manual here.
https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-451513630....obj-451519111
An interesting bit of gear. Just goes to show what can be achieved under adverse conditions.
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18th Apr 2020, 02:18 PM #5Golden Member
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- Oct 2008
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- Cairns, Q
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Have a look here - a bit of general information about them:
https://www.smh.com.au/national/pump...06-gdlmy1.html
I remember seeing them on the streets of Sydney when I was growing up there during WW2. I don't remember anybody who had to use them ever saying a kind word about them.
Frank.
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18th Apr 2020, 03:26 PM #6Diamond Member
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- Sep 2006
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- Mallacoota,VIC,Australia
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First time I've seen one. The weight of them must've taken a toll on some of the olders Cars suspensions. Thanks for sharing.
All The Best steran50 Stewart
The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.
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18th Apr 2020, 04:51 PM #7
Nasco
National Service Company , GMH 's spares division , I've heard stories , if you were not familiar with the correct lighting up procedure you would end up with soot over your face and clothes
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18th Apr 2020, 08:26 PM #8Member
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- Sep 2010
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- Port Sorell, Tasmania
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18th Apr 2020, 11:38 PM #9
Hi Guys,
Anyone seen the pictures and films of cars with an enormous bladder on the roof, full of town gas to run the engine when petrol was in short supply. Early WW11, about 1943-4.
COAL AND WOOD BURNING VEHICLES OF WWIIBest Regards:
Baron J.
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19th Apr 2020, 07:47 PM #10
I recall seeing the gas bag on top of the butchers truck in few episodes of Dad's Army, somewhat limited their ability to pop bayonet equipped rifles out through the roof hatches though.
Also recall seeing gas producers on cars and trucks in movies etc as a kid, and saw the remains of one dumped somewhere, needed my father to explain what it was and what it was for.
There was talk of people reverting to these in Oz during the 1980's fuel crisis, but I never came across any account of people having done so.I used to be an engineer, I'm not an engineer any more, but on the really good days I can remember when I was.
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19th Apr 2020, 09:22 PM #11Golden Member
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- Oct 2008
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- Cairns, Q
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During WW2 in Sydney the gas bags were common on commercial vehicles. I don't remember seeing any on private cars, though I've seen photos of them in the UK. I have no idea if this was the case, but I would not be surprised if either the gas company would only supply commercial users to keep consumption within their daily production limits, or the Government forbade using gas for private vehicles to preserve scarce coal supplies for industry. The ones on trucks were BIG: the supporting frame usually stretched the whole length of the vehicle from front bumper to the rear of the tray. and, from memory, would have been about a metre high when fully inflated.
In the morning you would see delivery trucks with the gas bag bulging at the seams, and in the late afternoon driving slowly home with the nearly deflated gas bag flapping wildly from the headwind. I remember being told that it was easy to damage the near empty bags by driving too fast.
Frank.
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