Now that's a new one on me-a Retro twin...! I've vague memories of seeing a Retro single somewhere (Clanford's book?) The whole issue of twins that do...and twins that don't.....seems ripe for a decent investigation-but it would be a monumental effort to do it and require the coordination of and input from a wide number of owners, since I doubt anyone has all of them...other European ones that spring to mind are the previously mentioned HP 120, the Italian B&C 61-and there have been a number of 1-off or low production number Czech and German twins...
That they're still a challenge even to experienced modellers was brought home to me last weekend when one of our WMAC members who'd just re-engined his glider tug with a 60cc Chinese horizontal twin ignition engine (he showed it off at the last club meeting) reported no end of problems getting it to run on two cylinders-and this a brand new engine-eventually sorted with a new (and hotter) plug in the offending cylinder. Seems the more things change, the more they stay the same...

ChrisM
'ffkiwi'

I have to say this topic has whetted my appetite to have a play with a twin, I sent Ed Carlson an email but think I'm going to have to give him a call. This after swearing no more engines!

That'll teach you to make promises you can't keep...........

ChrisM
'ffkiwi'

HaHa John, If our ramblings have brought one lost soul back onto the straight and narrow, then we've achieved something good already, Hallelujah!!!
For Chris (and everyone else!), Yes, there is a "Retro 15" in Mike's book, and I'm pretty sure something was written in John Goodall's MEW as well (perhaps by me... I can't remember!). I'll edit this post and ramble on about Retros a bit when I've dug out some more old photos.

OK, here are another couple of Retro 15s, together with a repro Allouchery 1.25, sold by Walter Stürm's AMZ business in Germany, and which was also actually made by André Demesse. Again, apologies for the scans of the old prints.
The engines were superbly well made. André made the castings as well. A great gentleman and very talented. As I said, his twin was one of the best running engines I've ever used. I'll try to find another photo I have of the twin running.

In-line twin diesels are not so uncommon as some may think, although always a niche offering.

Here are some photographs showing offerings from Alag (Hungary) and Typhoon (Holland)

If I remember correctly some engine designers had deliberately setup the ports and or intakes to be slightly different from each cylinder on some of the multi-cylinder engines. So there might be a reason as to why the two intake ports are slightly different in size. But do let us know now your modification goes with the engine. Knowing the Chinese it was likely a error on their part. If it was a American or European engine design I would say it was deliberately done that way.

Well I had a reply from Ed Carlson, he doesn't have anymore CS twins
I might have a go at building one, but don't watch this space for progress. I'm abysmally slow at finishing or starting things!

John-I've got vague recollections of a mention somewhere of a Midge twin (ie the Mark Lubbock Midge 0.5/0.8 that appeared as a project in AMI around 1998)-if it exists he might be persuaded to publish the details which might might a good lead-in twin project before tackling something more ambitious. That being said I think CS still have the Oliver 2.5 cylinder assemblies available as spares.....

ChrisM
'ffkiwi'

Here's another scan of an old photo. It's me running a Retro Twin, around 1990 (before WorkMates were invented).
When I lived in Paris, and couldn't really run engines at my place(!), I used this stool to run them anywhere appropriate.
This photo was taken at the major French Coupe d'Hiver contest (the original).
What a superb engine. This one was anodised blue, including the (PAW) carburettor body.

Hard to see from the photo but the Retro would appear to bear more than a passing resemblance to the Typhoon twin....?..........what DID happen to Typhoon anyway 'Minaatur Modellmotoren' or whatever they called themselves-they produced some good racing engines-2.5cc, 5cc diesel and glow in the 50s...plus the twin of course.

ChrisM
'ffkiwi'

I've had a reply from CS, we're not done and dusted yet!

Here's a link to CS's web page re the CS OT 30 Twin http://www.csmodelengine.com/?a=product&id=16

Seems they've made some improvements since the one that Maris reviewed some time back. A bit more expensive, but still reasonable value if they are somewhat more robust in the engineering dept.

Or, if something a little smaller with 'side port' induction takes your fancy ...

http://www.csmodelengine.com/?a=product&id=38

Nil Stock at present, but I fancy the BB engine.

You could try here also,

http://www.redfinengines.com/

The deal is done and completed, the CS OT twin diesel arrived 1/2 an hour ago by EMS courier.
A little disappointed about the absence of any parts list or instructions whatsoever, however quite happy with the engine.
It will take me some time to get into the shed and sort a test stand for it, but this one is a keeper and a runner !
More later, but here's a link to the CS site info on the twin; http://www.csmodelengine.com/?a=product&id=16
Cheers John

Hi
I'm currently building a Radio Queen that I would like to put a inline twin diesel however I can't find one anywhere,
Has anyone got one for sale?
Thanks for any help
Regards Mike