Le Rhône 9J
The Le Rhône 9J is a nine-cylinder rotary aircraft engine produced in France by Gnome et Rhône. Also known as the Le Rhône 110 hp in a reference to its nominal power rating, the engine was fitted to a number of military aircraft types of the First World War. Le Rhône 9J engines were also produced under license in Great Britain.[1]
In common with other Le Rhône series engines, the 9J featured highly visible telescopic copper induction pipes and used a single push-pull rod to operate its two overhead valves.[2] The copper intake manifold tubing's lower ends on the 110 hp 9J attached to the crankcase along its rearward edge, as opposed to the lower 80 hp output 9C powerplant having its intake mainfold lower ends along its crankcase's forward edge.
The type was cloned and built in Germany by Motorenfabrik Oberursel where it was known as the Oberursel UR.II.
Examples of Le Rhône 9J engines are on public display in aviation museums with several remaining airworthy, powering vintage aircraft types.
Variants
- Le Rhône 9Ja
- (1916) 110 hp (82 kW), nine-cylinder rotary engine. 953 built by W.H. Allen Son & Co.
- Le Rhône 9Jb
- (1916) 130 hp (97 kW), nine-cylinder rotary engine.
- Le Rhône 9Jby
- (1916) 130 hp (97 kW), nine-cylinder rotary engine.
Applications
- Le Rhône 9Ja
- Le Rhône 9Jb
- Le Rhône 9Jby
Survivors
A Bristol M.1 replica, owned and operated by the Shuttleworth Collection remains airworthy and is powered by a Le Rhône 9J engine.[3] The collection's airworthy Avro 504 is also powered by a 110 hp Le Rhône rotary engine.[4] The reproduction Avro 504 at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome is also flown with an original Le Rhone 9J powerplant.[5]
Engines on display
Preserved Le Rhône 9J engines are on public display at the following museums:
Specifications (Le Rhône 9Ja)
Data from Lumsden.[1]
General characteristics
- Type: Nine-cylinder, single-row rotary engine
- Bore: 112 mm (4.41 in)
- Stroke: 170 mm (6.63 in)
- Displacement: 15 L (911.4 cu in)
- Diameter: 100.5 cm (39.6 in)
- Dry weight: 146.5 kg (323 lb)
Components
- Valvetrain: Cam-operated single rocker for both inlet and exhaust valves
- Oil system: Castor oil, total loss
- Cooling system: Air-cooled
Performance
See also
- Comparable engines
- Related lists
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Lumsden, Alec. British Piston Engines and their Aircraft. Marlborough, Wiltshire: Airlife Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-85310-294-6.
- Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9
External links
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