Walter H. Righter (1905 - 1982) - Aviation Engine Pioneer

Walter Hammond Righter (1905 - 1982)

The "Dennymite" Engine

The story of Reginald Denny's "Dennymite" engine is really the story of Walter Righter and the The Righter Manufacturing Co.

Denny owned a hobby shop and had asked Walter Righter to participate in a miniature airplane engine contest. Denny wanted an engine he could sell under his name and Righter won the contest.

Named the "Dennymite", It was the first reliable miniature airplane engine and The Righter Manufacturing Co. made over 10,000 of them for Reginald Denny Industries; located at 5751 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA.

The First Ten "Dennymites"

The Prototype "Dennymite"

Note the embossed "R" for Righter

Photo : Righter Family Archives - Click Image to Enlarge

Walter Righter testing the first ten "Dennymites"

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First production model, 1937

Straight Stack, Horizontal Tank

"Dennymite" Model 1, 1937

Photo : Jim Dunkin - Click Image to Enlarge

"Dennymite" Model 1, 1937/1938

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Jim Dunkin writes: This is a 1937 "Dennymite" .573 with minor alterations from the original engine. The long neck on the filler for the tank is not original. Also, the spring loaded choke mechanism came from the 1938 Denny Deluxe, same as the exhaust stack. The fact that the bypass cover is cast aluminum with no markings indicates it was extremely early. I think Walter stated he began the serial numbering with #100 after the test engines.

"Dennymite" Model 1, 1937/1938

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I suspect that the mounts etc. may also be from the Deluxe. I am not sure when they started making those mounts with a strap for the coil but there was an earlier mount without straps, just a hole for the coil to go through.

"Dennymite" Model 1, 1937/1938

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Second production model, 1937

Straight Stack, Vertical Tank

"Dennymite" Model 2, 1937

Photo : Jim Dunkin - Click Image to Enlarge

Third production model, 1937

Straight Stack, Vertical Tank

"Dennymite" Model 3, 1937-38

Photo : Jim Dunkin - Click Image to Enlarge

"Dennymite Airstream", 1938-39

Airstream Stack, Vertical Tank

"Dennymite Airstream", 1938-39

Righter Family Collection : Restoration Jim Dunkin

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"Dennymite Airstream", 1938-39

Righter Family Collection : Restoration Jim Dunkin

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"Dennymite Airstream", 1938-39, Box Artwork (top)

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"Dennymite Airstream", 1938-39, Box Artwork (side)

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"Dennymite Airstream", 1938-39

Righter Family Archives - Click Image to Enlarge

"Dennymite Airstream", Deluxe, 1938-39

Photo : Jim Dunkin - Click Image to Enlarge

Righter-Denny window display c.1938

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"Dennymite Airstream", c.1940 - 46

Airstream Stack, Moulded tank

"Dennymite", 1946

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"Dennymite", 1946

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"Dennymite", 1946

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"Dennymite", 1946

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"Dennymite" Powered, Tethered Race Cars

Danner Bunch along with such builders as the Dooling Bros., Col. Alexander Morrison, etc.... were the earliest pioneers in the building and running of the Spindizzy racers. "Dennymites" were often used to power these models.

Donald John's replica Danner Bunch "Speed Demon", 1939

A contemporary build of one of Danner Bunch's fantastic early gas engined tether racers by Donald John an extremely accomplished and highly respected modeler and model engine builder. The frame has oak rails and the body is carved from wood just like the 1939 cars were. Power is by an early ignition .57 "Dennymite" engine driving a beautifully machined differential in the rear.

Donald John's replica Danner Bunch "Speed Demon", 1939

Features include aluminum dash with instruments, steering wheel, windshield, outside fuel pump, handbrake, 3 piece louvered hood with leather straps, leather seat, etc. etc. Incredible attention to detail along with outstanding "period" graphics by Buz McKim make this a stunningly beautiful race car.

Herb Singe, Sr.'s replica Bremer "Whirlwind", 1940

This is one of the superb Herb Singe, Sr. continuation cars. Herb's cars are absolutely accurate versions of the old Bremers which in the 30's and 40's raced on the tether and rail tracks against such rivals as Dooling, Alexander, Rexner, Morrison, and McCoy.

Herb Singe, Sr.'s replica Bremer "Whirlwind", 1940

It is powered by an ignition .57 "Dennymite" engine connected through to a machined differential. Proper semi-elliptic springs at both ends, radius rods, etc. complete the chassis.

Herb Singe, Sr.'s replica Bremer "Whirlwind", 1940

The body is highly polished aluminum, with hand enameled graphics featuring "Oilzum" oil. Also included; "Stellings" air cleaners, exhaust header and pipe, windshield, engined turned dash, instruments, seat, steering wheel, fuel filler cap, etc.

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