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- Le Rhone Model C, 9 Cylinder, Rotary Engine
Le Rhone Model C, 9 Cylinder, Rotary Engine
Object Details
- Physical Description
- Type: Rotary, 9 cylinders, air cooled
- Power rating: 60 kW (80 hp) at 1,200 rpm
- Displacement: 10.9 L (664.3 cu. in.)
- Bore and Stroke: 105 mm (4.13 in.) x 140 mm (5.51 in.)
- Weight: 109 kg (240 lb)
- Summary
- Societe des Moteurs Le Rhone of Paris began manufacturing air cooled rotary engines in 1910. Its rotary was sufficiently different than that first developed by the highly successful Seguin brothers of the Societe des Moteurs Gnome, also of Paris, that it circumvented relevant Gnome patents; but was taken over by Gnome in 1914. Because Le Rhone products were in some ways superior to Gnome, its design engineers were permitted to continue development during World War I, resulting in large scale production of various nine cylinder engines.
- During the World War I era, this engine was also produced in the United States by the Union Switch and Signal Company. Used mainly on fighter aircraft where speed and maneuverability were especially important, rotary engines were light and compact for their power. The Le Rhone Model 9C was used on Nieuport, Ruchonnet, Hanriot, Bleriot-SPAD, Morane, Sopwith, Farman, Caudron, and Voisin I aircraft.
- Credit Line
- On Loan from the War Department, Air Service, Washington, D.C.
- Data Source
- National Air and Space Museum
- Date
- Accepted January 29, 1919
- Inventory Number
- A19200011000
- Designer
- Le Rhone (France)
- Manufacturer
- Union Switch and Signal Company (Swissvale, Pennsylvania)
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
- Dimensions
- Engine height on stand 135 cm (53 in.)
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- Record ID
- nasm_A19200011000
- Usage
- Not determined
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