This page is about the National DA2 engine fitted to working narrowboat Hadar. The engine was found by the boat builder, and having done some initial research it is a very rare engine, one of only two like it in this country. There was only 450 in total built between 1945 and 1951. When first acquired it was complete with it’s generator set, radiator, cooling fan, etc. This photo is of the engine in original condition, removed from it’s original base-plate and the auxiliary equipment, ready to be marinized.
The next photo is after the marinization work was completed which involved adding a number of items as follows:-
- A starter ring to the fly wheel
- A new starter motor
- 2 alternators, a 45Amp for the starter battery and a 90Amp for the domestic batteries
- An oil sump pump
- A new thermostat housing for the water cooling
- A new air filter.
The fixed throttle device was removed and a lever arm added for connection to the throttle control. It was also given a coat of new paint, a much better colour green than before.
The engine was fitted into narrowboat Hadar during construction in March 2006. The boat was finished in January 2008. This photocopy of the original sales pamphlet which gives some valuable information about the engine.
These are the specifications of the engine:-
No. of Cylinders 2 Cubic Capacity 2789cc Cylinder Bore 4.25” Stroke 6”
Max Power 30bhp@1500rpm Cont. Power 27bhp@1500rpm Engine Speed 180-1500rpm
During a visit to the Anson Engine Museum in 2012, we enquired if they had any information about our engine. Geoff Challinor, one of the founders of the museum, found this set of documents, specific to our engine Serial No.64567. From these documents we have been able to determine that our engine was built in 1949 under subcontract by Trojan Ltd, of Croydon, on behalf of National Gas & Oil Engine Co. as part of an order of 18 such engines, to be delivered to Auto Diesels Ltd, Uxbridge, where they were added to bases along with the generator, cooling radiator, etc. before dispatching to Middle East Pipelines.
He very kindly photocopied all the documents which are shown below.
The Trojan Museum Trust confirmed that Trojan did in fact build these engines for National Gas & Oil Engine Co. The following photo shows National DA2 engines being built in the Trojan factory. Many thanks to the Trojan Museum Trust for allowing me to use this photo. Just think one of those is this engine!
