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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Laidley, SE Qld
    Posts
    1,038

    Default 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

    IMG_3341.jpg

    IMG_3345.jpg

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Port Sorell, Tasmania
    Posts
    74

    Default

    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

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    396

    Default

    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)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Near Rockhampton
    Posts
    270

    Default

    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.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Cairns, Q
    Posts
    666

    Default

    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.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Mallacoota,VIC,Australia
    Age
    53
    Posts
    1,010

    Default

    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.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    near Warragul, Victoria
    Posts
    3,718

    Default 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

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Port Sorell, Tasmania
    Posts
    74

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by morrisman View Post
    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
    They would carry a bag of coal on the back seat if needed for the return trip. Getting that out of the car into the gas producer was also a dirty job.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,444

    Default

    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 WWII
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Alexandra Vic
    Age
    69
    Posts
    654

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BaronJ View Post
    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 WWII

    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.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Cairns, Q
    Posts
    666

    Default

    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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