Model of Hot Air Engine in Operation. Germany, Year 2012

Striking metal and wooden model in perfect condition and fine working order. This curious device comes from Germany and draws our attention for its nice design, so beautiful and functional. It is a hot-air engine model for teaching use, designed to show how a hot-air engine works. Its simplicity and the gorgeous materials used in its manufacture turn it into a highly interesting item, perfect to decorate an elegant study or a classy room. The piece is made of golden brass, silvery metal and black-enameled iron, and stands on a fine solid mahogany wooden base. The model has different parts and sections. The wooden base has a drilled gap that contains the alcohol burner, cylindrical in shape and with the wick at the top. The base also supports four stylized columns with cylindrical black-lacquered iron shafts and golden brass bases and capitals. Over the columns there is a black iron piece that holds a silvery metal plunger. Under this plunger we can see an air deposit. When the burning wick heats the deposit, the hot air expands and moves the plunger. This piece goes up and turns the wheel located at the top of the model. As stated before, the base is made of solid mahogany wood. It boasts a fine wavy shape and is composed of four superimposed planks, all with the same shape but different sizes. The top plank is the smaller one and the lower one is the biggest. This disposition creates a fine staggered design. The top plank has an embedded circular metal plate with the following engraved inscription: A. LANZKE 2012 HLM1, and the serial number Nº 66. This inscription reveals that the model belonged to Andreas Lanzke, professor at the University of Applied Sciences of Berlin. The acronym HLM refer to this institution: Hochschüle fur Technik und Wirtschaft. Every lover of mechanics and engineering will appreciate the flawless design and decorative potential of this fine machine. Measurements: Width: 6.1 in /15.5 cm. Height: 8.8 in / 22.5 cm.