Not sure if this is the correct place for this question. I am searching, but cannot find, information on an air compressor used by the French Army in the period between the Wars.(1 and 2) Used for road building, etc. Pneumatic drill type.I am especially requiring photographs, or Internet sites. I have seen photographs of the FFL in N. Africa with the tools but not the compressor.
Any help really appreciated.

Hi Tony

That's a real challenge ...IMHO you should broaden your search and look for civilian compressor of that era. AFAIK the French Army mostly used trailer-mounted compressors. Maybe the FFL used whatever was available for the job.
You could also take a look at antique engines collectors website like Smokstak.com and ask for help there...

Here's a rusty Ingersoll-Rand that would look the part :


Good luck !

Frenchy

Frenchy, thank you for your prompt response. Thanks for the photograph. I always seen to come up with difficult ideas for my projects,ha,ha. I will have a look around, as you suggest. I have been using translaters on the French Google. Compresseur d'air and that type of thing. I'll keep trying.
Thanks once again

Just came across another Ingersoll-Rand compressor (in a much better shape )According to the caption, it's an "Oil field compressor, ca.1930" :


(from the University Of Southern California Digital Archive )

HTH
Frenchy

Frenchy, how do you find these photos? I am waiting for Smokstack to validate me before I ask questions. 2nd photo is good for reasonable detail, but did the French Army use this type of compressor?
Thank you once again for your help.

I'm just a patient guy, and Google is my friend . I must say I don't know if the French Army used Ingersoll-Rand compressors. All I know is that Ingersoll-Rand products were regularly imported in France in the 30's... Maybe you could opt for some "artistic licence"
Talking about I-R compressors, heres' a smaller 1928 model :


I've also found a French (?) 1932 Attila C24 compressor that would look OK as well ...


HTH
Frenchy

Frenchy, thanks again. The 1928 looks the part. Mobile. The Attila looks similar to a Russian compressor I have seen. Pre WW2. Poetic licence maybe the way to go...but I prefer authenticity. It's not quite the same as leaving off twenty rivets out of 200...who would notice, unless you counted, because you can fool the eye. But a compressor from the wrong perion, etc, is a bit obvious. Once again thanks for your effort.
Tony