The Hucks starter can be seen in action at The Shuttleworth coillection UK. It was first used in the 14 18 war. When you see the size of some of the props of that era you understand why. Hand swings were often done by 2 or 3 men. 1 to pull the prop and the others to pull the guy out of the way.
Klaatu83, e-mail, 21.09.2015 08:49
It was known as a "Hucks Starter" and was used as a method of starting engines on many aircraft during the 1930s and early 1940s. One might think of it as an updated version of the WW-I style engine starting method of swinging the propeller by hand, only updated with mechanical assist provided by power-take-off mounted on a specially-equipped motor vehicle. The advantage of a Hucks Starter was that the aircraft did not have to carry the additional weight of it's own engine starting system.
Phil Kuoni, Maj, USArmy (retir, 01.09.2013 That "thingie" is the connector for a starter shaft inserted from a rig mounted on a truck connected to the truck's motor.. That was the means of starting the motor as compared to explosive cartridges, external starter crank or an external ground starter unit ("putt putt"). The Russians also used this method of starting many of their aircraft. Hope this explains it for you. Phil
Ron Weil, 19.05.2013 Does anyone know what the "thingie" that looks like a cannon protruding from the prop spinner is?
Patrick, e-mail, 13.04.2014 06:33
with the starter-spinner dog shaft truck thingie, many Japanese planes featured that starter set-up, and I got to inspect one close up on the engine crash remains of a Ki46 Dinah they have at the Tindal Darwin air museum in Australia..the weight-saving on not having an electric start and sometimes internal batteries is considerable, especially for aircraft relying on height and speed for defence like the Dinah.
Patrick, e-mail, 13.04.2014 06:28
I'm reading a book non-fiction, about the Japanese WW2 Kamikazes called "Blossoms in the Wind"...(can recommend the hell out of it, too, if you want a highly narrative of memoirs from surviving Japanese Ww2 "Tokko"pilots from a US author with high creds in Japanese language and culture)in it author describes in great detail an --IJA--Army(most Tokko were Navy) "Tokko" unit which was formed at Bacloban on Luzon, and equiped with Ki51s..I realised I'd never consciously heard of a Ki51, and thought he'd confused it with Ki15s, but when I saw the poor quality b/w pic of one of the units planes landing in the book, I realised it was no Ki15 Babs..I'd heard of the Ki30, and thought IT was the code-name 'Sonya"...but Ki30 is the "Ann" and Ki51 which looks almost the same but is a little smaller is the "Sonya"..now I have been into Ww2 planes since as a child in the 1960s, and Japanese ones were a special favorite with me, but that subtle distinction Ki30 vs Ki51, had slipped past me. Anyway, after various mishaps in weather and mechanical issues he finally takes off in a Ki51 with bad performing smoking engine and dirty 'Marianas Gas" gasoline, and when within distant sight of a US troop convoy, is jumped by an F6F and forced down.
Phil Kuoni, Maj, USArmy (retir, e-mail, 01.09.2013 06:30
That "thingie" is the connector for a starter shaft inserted from a rig mounted on a truck connected to the truck's motor.. That was the means of starting the motor as compared to explosive cartridges, external starter crank or an external ground starter unit ("putt putt"). The Russians also used this method of starting many of their aircraft. Hope this explains it for you. Phil
Ron Weil, e-mail, 19.05.2013 19:54
Does anyone know what the "thingie" that looks like a cannon protruding from the prop spinner is?
y.k, 13.12.2011 13:15
No. It based on ki30,and ki30 based on ki15. and ki15 based on A5M. All of these have same structure and handling property.
Andy, 13.12.2011 03:13
Was this based at all on the JU. 87?
beruk, e-mail, 01.09.2010 12:01
You Can Find the only Survivor of this Aircraft in Adisucipto Aviation Museum, Jogjakarta, Indonesia
Ta-183, 16.05.2010 16:08
And it was used for kamikaze roles too.
ta-183 Huckebein, 16.05.2010 16:07
Im making a short movie today I think i might put that plane in it because it looks cool. (The Movie is a about a renegade japanese pilot that attacks a formation of Australian Bombers)
Frank, e-mail, 23.10.2009 20:02
Could you post horsepower figures (hp) as well as kW for the engine ratings? Thanks
Sgt.KAR98, 03.01.2009 17:15
Looks a very nice plane.
Freeman, e-mail, 29.02.2008 14:51
Ki-51 wasn't a torpedo-bomber aircraft. It was only light bomber. Sometimes, this planes were used in recon role.
John Doe, e-mail, 11.10.2007 19:00
Is it a Torpeto bombmer?
Al Kretz, e-mail, 21.04.2007 01:47
I build, fly and compete in Radio Control Scale models. How can I obtain more information on the Mitsubishi KI-51 "Sonia"? I need 3-views, pictures and color schemes. Thanks
