A very rare Ernst Plank German hot air engine, of early 20th century vertical design, having an air cooled single cylinder with oiler cup to side supported on cast and turned supports, with balanced crank, crank guard, brass oiler cups, eccentric driven flame valve with burner fitted to side above, 16cm diameter spoked flywheel with small V' belt pulley, finished in original paintwork with traditional Ernst Plank trade transfer below crank guard (some chrome finish missing), the base measuring 17cm x 16cm, 29cm high. The vendor's grandfather, the late William S. Gilham Royal Engineer Signals, believed it to have been used in the First World War to drive tent fans in India.