Pobjoy Niagara

Niagara
Airworthy Pobjoy Niagara at the Shuttleworth Collection
Type Piston radial aero engine
Manufacturer Pobjoy Airmotors
First run 1934

The Pobjoy Niagara is a British seven-cylinder, air-cooled, radial, aero-engine first produced in 1934, with an unusual offset-from-centre propshaft due to its engine reduction gearing.[1] The Niagara was a popular engine for light and experimental aircraft. The entire series of Pobjoy motors were seven-cylinder radials with compact dimensions and very high rpm. The entire Pobjoy range was well regarded due to its small diameter, smooth operation, low noise and innovative engineering.

Contents

Variants

Niagara I[2]
Bore/stroke 77x87 mm (3.03x3.43 in), swept volume 2,835 cc (173 cu in). Compression 6.25:1, gearing 0.47:1. Normal continuous power 84 hp (63 kW) at 3,200 rpm at sea level.
Niagara II[2]
Bore/stroke 77x87 mm (3.03x3.43 in), swept volume 2,835 cc (173 cu in). Compression 6.0:1, gearing 0.39:1. Normal continuous power 84 hp (63 kW) at 3,200 rpm at sea level.
Niagara III[2]
Bore/stroke 77x87 mm (3.03x3.43 in), swept volume 2,835 cc (173 cu in). Gearing 0.47:1. Normal continuous power 88 hp (66 kW) at 3,300 rpm at sea level.
Niagara IV[2]
Similar to Niagara III. Normal continuous power 98 hp (73 kW) at 3,500 rpm at sea level.
Niagara V[2][3]
Bore/stroke 81x87 mm (3.19x3.43 in), swept volume 3,138 cc (192.5 cu in). Compression 8.0:1, gearing 0.47:1. Normal continuous power 125 hp (93 kW) at 4,000 rpm at sea level.
Cataract I-III[2][3][4]
De-rated, uncowled versions of Niagara I-III with simple inter-cylinder baffles for cooling and trickle-down lubrication for lower exhaust rockers. Compression 5.7:1, gearing 0.47:1.
Cascade[4]
Direct drive version of Cataract I. Normal continuous power 66 hp (49 kW) at 2,100 rpm.

Applications

Niagara

Cataract

Cascade

Survivors

A Pobjoy Niagra powered Comper Swift that is owned and operated by the Shuttleworth Collection remains airworthy in 2010.[5]

Engines on display

A preserved Pobjoy Niagara engine is on public display at the Science Museum (London).

Specifications (Pobjoy Niagara IV)

Data from Lumsden[2]

General characteristics

Components

Performance

See also

Related development

Related lists

References

Notes

  1. ^ Gunston 1989, p.111.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Lumsden 2003, p.179.
  3. ^ a b Jane's All the World's Aircraft p.26d
  4. ^ a b Ord-Hume p.589
  5. ^ Shuttleworth Collection - Comper Swift www.shuttleworth.org Retrieved: 27 April 2010

Bibliography

  • Grey, C.G. (1972). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1938. London: David & Charles. ISBN 0715 35734 4. 
  • Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9
  • Lumsden, Alec. British Piston Engines and their Aircraft. Marlborough, Wiltshire: Airlife Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-85310-294-6.
  • Ord-Hume, Arthur W.J.G. (2000). British Light Aeroplanes. Peterborough: GMS Enterprises. ISBN 1 870384 76 8 5. 

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