My Jeep Time Machine- Bickel Camp..

Photograph by Scott Schwartz.

One of the many machines salvaged by Walt Bickel is this aircraft auxiliary power unit.

Auxiliary power units ("APU's") are small engines that are installed aboard aircraft in order to power generators.  The APU provides power for starting the main engines, and for running electric accessories on the ground.

On the day that this photograph was taken, the caretaker at Bickel Camp told me that this APU came from a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber.  Bickel used it as a generator.

For more information about Bickel Camp, go to http://elpasomountains.blogspot.com/2012/01/four-wheeling-into-history-californias.html