The Sankey Aspin P54 was a large British chainsaw introduced in 1953 by J.H. Sankey & Son Ltd. The model is powered by a 132cc engine and designed for either one-man or two-man operation.
The saw is easily identifiable by its blue-and-silver finish, large tubular frame, separate Vokes air filter, and distinctive Sankey Aspin cutting gear. The example pictured here, which we saw at a chainsaw show and belonging to NZ collector Tim Hunt, is set up with a long bar and helper handle for two-man cutting.
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | J.H. Sankey & Son Ltd. |
| Brand | Sankey Aspin |
| Model | P54 Power Saw |
| Country of manufacture | England |
| Year introduced | 1953 |
| Engine type | Single-cylinder, air-cooled two-stroke |
| Displacement | 132cc (8.0 cu in) |
| Advertised power | 5 hp (3.7 kW) |
| Weight | 43 lb (19.5 kg) with 30-inch bar |
| Operator configuration | One-man or two-man |
| Carburetor | Amal |
| Air filter | Five-ply Vokes filter |
| Ignition | Breaker-point flywheel magneto |
| Ignition timing | Fixed |
| Breaker-point gap | 0.020 in (0.51 mm) |
| Spark plug | Champion J12 |
| Spark-plug gap | 0.025 in (0.63 mm) |
| Starter | Automatic rewind |
| Clutch | Centrifugal |
| Drive system | Gear reduction |
| Chain-oiling system | Manual oil pump |
| Period fuel mixture | 16:1 |
| Specified mixing oil | SAE 30 |
| Recommended fuel | Regular gasoline |
| Chain | Sankey Aspin “Cutesa” straddle chain |
| Factory-listed bar lengths | 20 to 36 in (50 to 91 cm) |
| Construction | Steel and aluminum |
| Handle system | Rigid tubular wrap frame |
| Chain brake | None |
| Anti-vibration system | None |
| Original colors | Blue and silver |
Interesting Facts
- The P54 was advertised for one-man use, but it could also be fitted with a helper handle for two-man operation. At 43 lb with a 30-inch bar, it was still an exceptionally substantial machine.
- Its Cutesa straddle chain is very different from a modern saw chain. The chain straddles the guide rather than running entirely inside a conventional narrow bar groove.
- The tubular frame surrounding the powerhead served as both the handling structure and physical protection for the engine.
- The large separate canister beside the engine contains the five-ply Vokes air-cleaning system, a particularly noticeable feature of the P54.
TREE FELLING, CUTTING, LOPPING
can be done much faster by one man with the
SANKEY-ASPIN ONE-MAN CHAIN SAW
- Safe and speedy in operation
- Completely portable
- Cuts 2 inches from the ground—no timber wastage
- Precision built for easy maintenance
This sturdy saw enables one man to do the work of six, felling, lopping, or logging. Its self-feeding “Cutesa” chain, is powered by a specially designed robust 5-h.p. engine. Complete protection for operator and engine is provided by the cushion mounted tubular frame, while the same unit can be converted to a two-man model by fitting a 40″ blade and helper’s handle.
IMMEDIATE DELIVERY
Write today for illustrated brochure to:
J. H. SANKEY & SON LTD.
Aldwych House, Aldwych, London, WC2
FELLING, LOPPING AND LOGGING
can be done much faster by one man with the
SANKEY-ASPIN ONE MAN CHAIN SAW
The exceptionally high cutting speed of this sturdy saw is due to the specially designed 5 h.p. engine which powers a self-feeding “Cutesa” chain, exclusive to Sankey-Aspin.
Available with interchangeable 22″ and 40″ blades, easy to start, economical in operation and completely portable, the Sankey-Aspin saves time, labour and energy.
Write today for illustrated leaflet.
J. H. SANKEY & SON LTD.,
Aldwych House, Aldwych, London W.C.2
