Liberty 12 Model A (Lincoln) V-12 Engine

Twelve-cylinder, reciprocating engine with split construction aluminum crankcase and dual carburetors. Green cylinders are angled at 45 degrees in two banks.

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Object Details

Designer

Elbert J. Hall

Jesse G. Vincent

Model

Liberty

Manufacturer

Lincoln Motor Company

Physical Description

Type: Reciprocating, V-type, 12 cylinders, Liquid cooled

Power rating: 298 kW (400 hp) at 1,800 rpm

Displacement: 27 L (1649 cu in)

Bore and Stroke: 127 mm (5 in) x 178 mm (7 in)

Weight: 357 kg (786 lb)

Summary

The Liberty's purpose was American mass production of standard engine units when the U.S. entered World War I. Co-designed in a week in mid-1917 by Jesse Vincent of Packard Motor Car and Elbert Hall of Hall-Scott Motor Car, with a planned series of 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-cylinder models, the Liberty used only proven components to ensure workable engines in the shortest time. The Model L-8 was the first Liberty engine. However, power requirements made it obsolete before entering service, leading to the twelve-cylinder Liberty.

The Liberty's success was due entirely to the fact that the best engineers, production experts, and manufacturing facilities were provided to the Government. Leading automotive manufacturers, including Ford, Lincoln, Packard, Marmon, and Buick, built the engines.

The Liberty 12 Model A powered numerous aircraft including the de Havilland DH-4, the Navy-Curtiss NC-4, Fokker T2, Loening Model 23, Douglas World Cruiser, Douglas M-1 Mailplane, and Curtiss H-16 flying boat.

Credit Line

Found in collection. Donor unknown at this time. Found on NASM premises

Date

Circa World War I

Inventory Number

A19850445000

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary

Materials

Aluminum

Ferrous Alloy

Copper Alloy

Adhesive Tape

Rubber

Plastic

Metal Alloys

Paint

Solder

Dimensions

3-D: 171.1 × 68.6 × 105.4cm (5 ft. 7 3/8 in. × 2 ft. 3 in. × 3 ft. 5 1/2 in.)

3-D (overall, including stand): 175.3 × 83.8 × 143.5cm (5 ft. 9 in. × 2 ft. 9 in. × 4 ft. 8 1/2 in.)

Country of Origin

United States of America

See more items in

National Air and Space Museum Collection

Location

National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC

Exhibition

America by Air

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Metadata Usage