Daimler-Benz DB 603

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Daimler-Benz DB 603 engine was a German aircraft engine used during World War 2. It was a liquid-cooled in-line 12 cylinder inverted V12 enlargement of the DB 601, which was in itself a development of the DB 600.

The DB 603 powered several aircraft, including the Do 217 N&M, Do 335, He 219, Me 410 and Ta 152C.

Interesting to note that the Mercedes T80 land speed record car designed by aircraft engineer Josef Mickl, assignor by Ferdinand Porsche, with help from German racing driver Hans Stuck incorporated the third prototype DB 603 in the T-80. It ran off pure alcohol with MW injection and was tuned to 3,000 hp   enough, it was believed, to propel the aerodynamic three-axle T80 up to 750 km/h on the Dessau autobahn in January 1940 during RekordWoche (Record/Speed Week). But due to the outbreak of the war in September 1939, the T80 (nicknamed Schwarz Vogel/Black Bird) never raced. The DB 603 engine was removed from the vehicle for use in fighter aircraft.

[edit] Variants

[edit] Production versions

• DB 603A, rated altitude of 5.7 km, B4 fuel

Power (max): 1287 kW (1750 PS) at 2700 rpm at sea level

Combat power: 1162 kW (1580 PS) at 2500 rpm at sea level

• DB 603AA DB 603A with rated altitude of 7.3 km, B4 fuel

Power (max): 1228 kW (1670 PS) at 2700 rpm at sea level

Combat power: 1162 kW (1580 PS) at 2500 rpm at sea level

• DB 603E rated altitude of 7.0 km, B4 fuel

Power (max): 1324 kW (1800 PS) at 2700 rpm at sea level

Combat power: 1158 kW (1575 PS) at 2500 rpm at sea level

[edit] Prototypes and other versions

• DB 603D, a DB 603A with propellers rotating counter-clockwise; production unknown
• DB 603F, a DB 603E with propellers rotating counter-clockwise; production unknown
• DB 603G (production cancelled)

Power (max): 1397 kW (1900 PS) at 2700 rpm at sea level

Combat power: 1147 kW (1560 PS) at 2700 rpm at sea level

• DB 603L/LA (prototype with two-stage supercharger, B4 fuel)

Power (max): 1471 kW (2000 PS)

• DB 603N (prototype with two-stage supercharger, C3 fuel)

Power (max): 2059 kW (2800 PS) at 3000 rpm at sea level

Continuous: 1420 kW (1930 PS) at 2700 rpm at sea level

• DB 603S (DB 603A with experimental TK-11 turbo-supercharger)

Power (max): ????

All power data given in metric horsepower as given per manufacturer. Power (max) is Takeoff and Emergency power (5-min-rating), combat power is climb and combat power (30-min rating), continuous is without time limit.

[edit] Specifications (DB 603A)

General characteristics

• Type: 12-cylinder liquid-cooled supercharged inverted Vee aircraft piston engine
• Bore: 162 mm (6.38 in)
• Stroke: 180 mm (7.09 in)
• Displacement: 44.5 L (2,715 in³)
• Length: 2610.5 mm (102.8 in)
• Diameter: 830 mm (32.7 in)
• Dry weight: 920 kg (2,030 lb)

Components

• Supercharger: Gear-driven centrifugal type supercharger
• Fuel system: Direct fuel injection
• Cooling system: pressurized water cooling

Performance

• Power output:
  
  • 1,287 kW (1,750 PS) for takeoff
  • 1,111 kW (1,510 PS) maximum continuous
• Specific power: 26.7 kW/L (0.59 hp/in³)
• Compression ratio: 7.5:1 left block, 7.3:1 right block
• Specific fuel consumption: 0.288 kg/(kW·h) (0.474 lb/(hp·h))
• Power-to-weight ratio: 1.29 kW/kg (0.79 hp/lb)

[edit] See also

• Mercedes T80