Enfield Engine
 

These stationary Engines appear fairly regularly on the market in the UK.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...3DOp1%26ps%3D5

Did we agree in the past that they were used to power boats/bridging pontoons?

'Morning Neil. I doubt any motor this small would have been used to move heavy pontoons or rafts, especially against the river current. Canadians made particular use of Evinrude outboard motors (around 50hp, if memory serves me correct) in their assault boats for river crossings. Boats used for towing/pushing pontoons, such as the one in the pic probably had even larger motors. Stationary motors such as the one you've shown were most likely used to run water pumps, mobile laundry, and such-like.

CHIMO! Derek.

The ones you are probably thinking of, Neil, are the Petter Universal. This was another flat twin engine, but of a much bigger capacity and was used to drive rafts / pontoons via a flexible shaft. This Enfield may also drive by flex. shaft, but unfortunately the drive side is not shown, submersible water pumps come to mind here.

Royal Enfield generator set
 

Could this be a generator set or a tank turret pump unit as in one of these pictures? They come from an early post war booklet called "Royal Enfield, a proud war record". The third picture sums up what else Enfield has made during the war...

Regards,
Jan

This may be the best explantion on the purpose and use of the Enfield 250cc Twin engine;

www.royalenfield.org.uk/stationary_engines.php

first paragraph

The example on e-bay is clearly a stand a lone unit so I would agree with your comments on the probability of a shaft drive.

Heres a Petter example also on e-bay.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/petter-pu8-sta...d=p3286.c0.m14

Is this the type you are talking about Richard?

Thats the one I was refering too, Neil.
Years ago, in the 70's, we used to still get these in for repair, check and preservation before returning to RAOC stores.

more info about the 250cc Enfield twin engine
 

Neil,

Here's another article from the December 1988 issue of "The Classic MotorCycle".

Regards,
Jan