Donald Bastow

[wumpletoad]

A couple of years ago, I appeared on the forum enquiring about Donald Bastow but at the time, stupidly could not remember his name. Not surprising therefore that I did not receive much response!

However, in a rare absence of clutch-slip, the brain functioned and I remembered Donald Bastow who I met several times at the IMechE where he was a Fellow. He is best remembered for his work on vehicle suspensions but he also had engine interests; I have long understood that he had some design responsibility in the Javelin/Jupiter. My question is - did he have a connection with Idle and if so, what was it?

On the other hand, it could all be the fanciful recollection of an old man.

I shall be grateful if someone could shed a little light.

Best wishes,

Wumpletoad; who getting on for 60 years ago owned a 6-volt Bradford. Now that's something not easily forgotten!

[Tim Neville]

Donald Bastow designed the oval web crankshaft for Jowett. This crankshaft proved to be a life saver for the flat four engine that had been plagued with c/s failures. See attached link.
http://jowett.org/jowettnet/dt/tech/qa-g-green.pdf

P.S. Ah, the power of searchability!

[Forumadmin]

Well done Tim and proof that the old Jowettnet is still alive and kicking. Now if we scanned in all those other documents we would have a wealth of information.

[wumpletoad]

Thank you both for the responses - at least I now know I was not dreaming about Bastow being involved with Jowett design.

He was a clever fellow, at various times on Sir Henry Royce's personal staff, with the Daimler Company and even had a hand in the development of the BSA Gold Star amongst many other involvements.

I came to know him quite well as we worked together in determining the thermo-dynamic characteristics of double sleeve valve engines generally and the 1912/1920 Daimler 30hp engine specifically. Happy days . . .

Wumpletoad.

[george garside]

I well remember the meeting with George Green in 1963 at Howdon Clough ( see above link posted by Tim Neville). It was a particularly stormy & windy day & I stopped somewhere on top of the pennines to put the hood up (Jupiter) and the drivers door got caught by the wind & both hinges snapped!.I continued with door lashed on with tow rope ;& on arrival was told to run it into the repair shop. When we finished the meeting at something like 11pm the Jupiter was waiting outside the front door with new hinges fitted & I never received a bill for the job!.. We were offered ex factory torque wrenches for 30 bob each & several of us took up the offer. The question & answer session with George Green and ?Arthur Clegg the 'technical clerk' took place in the works canteen accompanied by a copious supply of mugs of tea and man sized cheese butties.