Model Areoplane Diesel Fuel

Chris has inherited a model aeroplane engine.  This type of engine is a diesel engine.  Problem is where to get fuel.

This is not your run of the mill diesel that you put in your truck.  These engines run on a mixture of Ether, caster oil and newts.  Funnily enough in "the smart state" the problem is to purchase Ether.

It is hardly surprising that kids don't do science and that Australia is unable to innovate to the degree that the Americans do.  There is too much over regulation here.
maybe this blog posting should be titled something like "Regulation stifles Innovation"

THE RECIPE
http://www3.bc.sympatico.ca/dieselcombat/diesel_fuel.htm

Kerosene - 42%
Ether - 30%
Castor Oil - 24%
Amyl Nitrate - 3% or iso-propyl nitrate

WARNING
Ether and Amyl Nitrate are likely to catch fire and are also BAD for your health.

RECORD OF CONVERSATION WITH HOBBY ONE
The problem became obvious when I phoned Hobby One here in Brisbane and they informed me that they can not get the fuel from their fuel supplier.  The problem apparently has to do with the laws governing the transport of hazardous substances.  I believe some issue that one law says this fuel must be in a glass bottle lets say and another law that says it must be in a metal tin or maybe the glass bottle can not be transported.  Anyway none the less can't buy premixed fuel.

So lets try to buy it.  Those from the older generation tell me that once upon a time they used to just buy Ether from the local chemist.


RECORD OF CONVERSATION WITH ROWE CHEMICAL
I figured next stop was to phone a scientific supply company.  Google & Yellowpages led me to Rowe chemical company in Sumner Park.
They advise me
1.
One type of Ether only known as "diethyl ether solvent" is available as a Schedule 6 poison.  500ml for $41.9 +GST.  a couple of weeks for delivery.  It appears that they can sell this retail. to me.  Ajax chemicals part number 1673 and Rowes part number CD1627.  So on that track we need to find out if "diethyl ether solvent" can be used to make plane fuel.
2.
All other types of Ether are classified as a Schedule 7 poison.  Apparently one needs paperwork to be able to purchase this.
Rowe can only sell it wholesale.  This means that I would have to have an account with them.  In addition I will require some kind of approval from Qld health of all people.  He commented at one stage "we can only sell to Government or mining companies".

DIETHYL ETHER RESEARCH
Good old Wikipedia
 Kindly informs me

"Diethyl ether has a high cetane number of 85-96 and is used as a starting fluid, in combination with petroleum distillates for gasoline and diesel engines^[6] because of its high volatility and low flash point. For the same reason it is also used as a component of the fuel mixture for carbureted compression ignition model engines."

 Mind you they also tell me it finds use as a recreational drug as one would expect.

but what is diethyl Ether SOLVENT I wonder.

A search for the AJAX chemical part shows the MSDS
https://www.thermofisher.com.au/godirect/TechInfo/msds/JXF05.pdf
 And in that it says that the thing is 100% Ether.  Does not give the chemical formula.  Does have all sorts of dire warnings about transport rules in Australia so that kind of gels with the phone call to Hobby One.

But also maybe the go to buy some.  But at $50 I reckon it is a science project rather than a serious ongoing thing.

8-MAR-2013 Update
Sent an email to Aussie? traders?
They are organising a quote.  It is $15 a litre plus shipping.  As it is a dangerous good I expect the shipping to be pretty heavy.  In the order of $50-$100.