Copeman tuned Oliver Tiger Mk III

NICE !!! Ian you truly have some of the most interesting and intriguing engines I have seen , Thanks for sharing !!

Hey Ian
Who he heck is Coplman and what tuning did he do to the Oliver?

Still not a diesel guy, but a sponge for all model airplane engine info....being more into the small engines that propel our models and a past engine guru in some meager ways (motorcycles and cars in the 150cc to 8.6 liter range)

fredvon4 wrote:Hey Ian
Who he heck is Coplman and what tuning did he do to the Oliver?

Still not a diesel guy, but a sponge for all model airplane engine info....being more into the small engines that propel our models and a past engine guru in some meager ways (motorcycles and cars in the 150cc to 8.6 liter range)

Oliver Tigers quickly gained a reputation for being long lived, robust and the most powerful diesel engines for their size. It was a cottage industry - believe the largest number of engines produced in one year was 500.

This combined with repairs kept John Oliver and son very busy. All engines were fundamentally hand made and hand finished. None left the factory (small workshop) without being tested. Engines lasted for years and were sent back to be rebored or new liner etc fitted. All work was priced and if you wanted a little extra the engine could be factory tuned.

However, they also made available instructions for doing this yourself for the princely sum of 6d (2.5p or 5 cents). The waiting list for engines could be anything up to a year and they were swamped with orders. These engines were not mass produced - this was British engineering!

I have seen some abortions of tuned Olivers where individuals have undertaken the work themselves or offered this as a "service".

The most successful was George Copeman - a hobbyist who I also believe worked in a Bank. However, he gained quite a reputation following competition successes with his engines. He followed the Oliver tuning instructions but then added what was and is today a controversial amendment.

It was often reported that Ollies improved with age. After three or four rebores, piston replacements etc..... performance improved. Maybe only slightly but enough to warrant investigation.

Contrary to the Oliver recommendations - the bearing fits in the crankcase were eked out to not be so tight as a factory model. This allowed the crankshaft to run perfectly central to the bearings and "self adjust" the line up.

Of course this gave and edge in combat but there is a down side. The engine with the not quite so press fit bearings may not be as robust and survive a clash. prang ............ The engine may end up not able to be repaired. This still causes controversy among Olly owners and users but I do know of many documented competitions where the winners were using George Copeman tuned engines.

He also made no secret of what he did and this was published in February 1968.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/t6udxwrma4gb2i7/aeromodeller_1968_02_tiger_tuning_707_128.pdf?dl=0

A Copeman tuned engine has the lightning flash etched into it and the date it was modded on the bottom. The one I have happens to have been done in February 1968.

I am not surprised there aren't many Ollies in the USA. As mentioned, they were not mass produced and built to order. They were built in the days when money transfer was not quite so easy and with a very long waiting list. To buy a new one - you would have to be very keen.

George (GCB) bought a MkIII in 1958 and had not quite so long a wait following a cancellation.

https://www.coxengineforum.com/t9821-spot-the-real-oliver-tiger-quiz#124829

I only know of two others in the USA owning Ollies (and one them is a collector and has every version).

Thanks for the history lesson sir...sorry I misspelled Copeman's name in my question

I received this message from George Copeman through the forum contact page.

George Copeman wrote:

Message subject : Copeman Oliver Tiger

Message content :

I didn't realise there was still so much interest in the work I did on Olivers. The aeromodeller article in 1968 wasn't the whole story. Great pity to see the cylinder fins have been removed and replaced in a different position. The arrow on the head fin would have been at the front when it left me. These motors are individually built with selective assembly to find the set up that gives the least frictional losses. There would have been a right way round for piston, con rod cylinder and the fins, all so marked. One can only wonder what else has been incorrectly reassembled.

I asked if he would join the forum, but he didn't wish to at this time...

Hi guys ,
Just to let you know , I also have a Mk. III Ollie . It runs strong but I also have a couple of ETA's that also are great runners . To me the ETA's were a bit better for FAI team race and the Ollies for combat . I'm sure there where exceptions to this . My Ollie came from a club member and was used for Free Flight My ETA's are from team racers . Diesels are fun to run and the fuel is easy to make . They do smell a bit funny but do have some advantages over glow . They just never really became popular here in the states .

Mike1484

Back in 1976 into F2D Diesel Combat , I was lucky to acquire
1 NIB "Copeman Ollie MK IV" from an other Combat Buddy
which was on waitinglist for a number of Copeman´s MK IV ,
5 or 6 engines I remember.
This was my  VERY BEST Diesel for Combat I had in my hands.
"ONE FLICK STARTER" , this song,.... my Copeman Ollie was in favor   .
He never had one single attitude adjustment.
The Copeman became my "Number ONE engine" beside
my Webra .15 Mach II Diesel and .15 Rivers Diesel.
12 month later ,in a very weak brainfarded moment    ,
I sold the Ollie    , in VERY BEST CONDITION, to a class case friend .
Could not resist his offer, cash was short and need to invest for
faster    Super Tigre G15 Diesel ,
one of TR Mr. Brendel´s, RIP.
Airspeed in Combat is not the clue, but it helps a lot.
Looong time gone.
Never had a fight with my Ollie...neeeever . 
ONE OF THE VERY BEST RELIABLE MODEL DIESEL ENGINE
on this Planet in honour and respect to
Mr. John Oliver and Mr. George Copeman , both UK.

Cheers
STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY
Peter
GER-1223