Cartridge start (not shotgun - no shot!) was commonly used for large diesels and aeroplane engines from the 1930s to the fifties. For diesels, because they often did not have electrical systems (and the cartridge start was simpler, cheaper, more reliable and lower maintenance than a full electrical system), and for aeroplanes because they were simpler and lighter than an electrical system big enough to turn over a large engine.
Very few such engines are in use today, probably only a few such as the Marshall tractors and a few warbirds, perhaps some stationary diesels.
As far as I know Macks never used them, although they certainly used air start rather than electric start for a number of years in the fifties and sixties.
John
John
JDNSW
1986 110 County 3.9 diesel
1970 2a 109 2.25 petrol
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Originally Posted by JDNSW
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