Help identify this Mills?

[spoonfork]

Hi There,

I'm hoping someone can help me out here.
I have this Mills 0.75 replica but have very limited knowledge about Mills Diesels.

It came in an Irvine Box but I'm not sure if it's actually an Irvine.
I was of the understanding the Irvine engines were all made with black crank cases.

Don't think it is a Gordon Burford Mills, but was advised it was a Ivor F. Doonside Mills.

http://modelenginenews.org/cardfile/m75.html

According to the URL it states that the Irvine Mills had a thread on the fuel tank to stop the Tank from "Running away". My tank has no threads.!
Another thing is that according to that same link, the Doonside Mills had a little pin in the case to prevent the Cylinder liner from moving when the head was tightened.
My engine seems to have that little pin too!

I've attached photos of the Engine, with box and instructions which came with it.
I don't think the box and instructions go with the engine though!

So the evidence so far points to it being a Ivor F. Mills.

Can anyone help confirm it's heritage?

[billdennis747]

Yes, I think it's a Doonside. The circlip tank and cylinder pins are giveaways.
The Doonside is, in my opinion, the only worthy alternative to a real one

[JohnOSullivan]

I would agree about it being a Doonside Mills. The webbing on the crankcase gives it away.  Ivor made 250 as original Mills with no webbing and 750 with webs.
I have #411 of the series. Would not part with it.

[spoonfork]

Thanks guys.
I have always wanted a 0.75 Mills and just bought this one.
I'll be keeping it!

I just notice a that a letter Z is stamped underneath one of the engine mounts.

[Ployd]

Hi Spoonfork

The quickest way to identify a "genuine" Doonside Mills is to look at the backplate and you should see "Taipan. Aust" stamped inside the machined recess.

The fact that you have stated that it has a "Z" stamped on the mounting lug tells me straight away that it is of Russian manufacture. Ivor contracted a group in Russia to produce them which they did BUT not to the specs that were provided hence the pin to stop the cylinder from rotating and from memory an O-ring seal in the backplate. A good one runs well but there are some dodgy ones out there usually with cracked liners up near the contra piston.

Ployd in OZ 

[billdennis747]

I didn't know that. Mine (no. 325) has a Taipan backplate but also the pin. Speaking of the instructions, does the Spelling Reform Association still exist?
The only problem I had with mine was a tight contra which would not go back. When Derek Giles loosened it for me, I think he said the insides were a bit 'agricultural' but it's a great runner. I think I've only ever used it in twins (0/400, Argosy, Gotha) where it needs to be ultra-consistent. I'm delighted to say that in the Gotha, I had to file one of the webs to make it fit, so I know it will never end up in a glass case.
Bill

[spoonfork]

OK Many Thanks Ployd, for the information.
Just wanted to make sure it was not one that should be on the shelf.
I hope I have a good running one then.

[Ployd]

The Spelling Reform Assoc died when Ivor F passed away this year. When the Doonside Mills was conceived the instruction to Gordon Burford (Taipan, Glo-Chief fame) was to "copy" an original English Mills so if the internals look a bit "agricultural" you know who to blame. From memory all the genuine Doonside Mills have a serial number stamped on the front of the crankcase.

Ployd in OZ