H1 USAF ground support heater and trailer

[58chevybiscayne]

I just picked this up today, I cant find much about it but it looks all original the engine is free inside as well,from what I have seen its some sort of engine heater,but im unsure of its use any of you out there know what its used for, not to sure what im going to do with it either but it is pretty cool.

[phantomfixer]

I know this is an old thread...but man...those little H1s saved my butt many of nights in Germany...a gasoline burning heater with a blower that put out forced hot air...used to help keep us warm, help cure adhesives on aircraft repairs in freezing temps...just a great all around little heater...wish I had one...

[Rustman]

So this is a rabbit hole I just fell down since I'm working on buying a WW2 era maintenance tent. Seems the Quartermaster Corps determined the "Herman Nelson Self-Powered Unit Heater" used by the AAF for heating aircraft engines was suitable for heating up the maintenance tent. Yours is a later model and in fact Herman Nelson is still in business. It appears the original ones had an engine for driving the blower, and part of the ignition system also fired the heater. Therefore the entire unit was self contained, self powered with no need for external electrical power.

Matt

[Tim Shanteler]

I have one of those WWII Herman-Nelson heaters used by the AAF.

[Rustman]

oooh. Can we see pictures? I found very little online for the Herman Nelson from WW2. Found a bit more for the Stewart Warner version.

Matt

[Tim Shanteler]

Sure.... I'll have to figure out how to upload them.

[Rustman]

Tim,

Could you just email them to me? matthew.picciotto@gmail.com

Thanks
Matt