BMW VII

The BMW VII was a water-cooled twelve-cylinder engine derived from the successful BMW VI. The engine was not as popular as the VI, due in no small part to the Great Depression, and only a small number were built. Experiments with supercharging led to the related BMW IX.

The main change from the VI to the VII was the addition of a 0.62 ratio propeller reduction gearing system, allowing the engine to run at higher RPM, and thus higher power settings, while still efficiently driving the same propellers. A more minor change was the movement of the magnetos from the back of the cylinder banks to the front, which allowed easier access for maintenance. Similar changes to the original six-cylinder BMW V led to the BMW VIII. The 160x190 mm cylinders gave a total displacement of 45.8 L (2,797 cu in). The engine was 2.025 m (79.7 in) long, .864 m (34.0 in) wide, 1.045 m (41.1 in) tall, and weighed 525 kg (1,160 lb).

Three versions of the engine were provided, running at different compression ratios. The 5.5:1 engine had a normal output of 600 hp at 1,565 rpm. The 6.0:1 engine had a maximum output of 750 hp at 1,650 rpm. The aU version ran at a 7.3:1 compression ratio, delivering a rating up to 750 hp for take off. The crankcase was offered in aluminum or Elektron.

The engine was first built in 1928 and passed its acceptance tests in June 1930. Only a few examples of the BMW VII went into operation, in the single-engined version of the Junkers Ju 52, for example, and in the Dornier Wal which Wolfgang von Gronau flew around the world in 1932. The VII was also used for forced-aspiration experiments with a "mixture blower" (a radial fan located behind the carburettor); this led in due course to the development of the BMW IX aircraft engine.

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