[WWI] A bit of technical question concerning WWI aircraft engine operation

[Collins, Graham]

It is generally well known that around the time of WWI that Castor oil
was used for lubrication in the rotary engines (and presumably some
other types) or the period.

I have found a very small and unsubstantiated reference to the use of
Olive oil as a substitute for Castor oil during this same time period
when Castor oil was not available. I have been unsuccessful in several
searches of the net to find any other reference.

Anyone here have any knowledge or reference to this?

Thanks, Graham in Embrun near Ottawa Canada.


As an aside, for those that don't speak French, castor is French for
beaver. I have often wondered if there is any linguistic connection?

The Castor (Beaver) river runs through Embrun here in cloudy, cool and
threatening to rain Eastern Ontario