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Hispano-Suiza A (Wright-Martin) V-8 Engine

Air and Space Museum

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  • Top view of open-book shaped black metal engine
  • Side of open-book shaped black metal engine

    Object Details

    Designer

    La Société Hispano-Suiza
    Marc Birkigt

    Manufacturer

    Wright Aeronautical

    Physical Description

    Type: Reciprocating, V-type, 8 cylinders, liquid-cooled
    Power rating: 112 kW (150 hp) at 1,450 rpm
    Displacement: 11.78 L (718.88 cu in.)
    Bore and Stroke: 120 mm (4.72 in) x 130 mm (5.12 in)
    Weight (dry): 202 kg (445 lb)

    Summary

    Hispano-Suiza engines were developed by Marc Birkigt, of Swiss origin, and first manufactured in Barcelona, Spain for use in automobiles. Hisso engines were very successful and featured innovative cast-aluminum cylinder construction with internal water passages. Increased demand for World War I, in particular, required licensing of Hisso aircraft engine manufacturing in France, England and the U.S. The Wright-Martin Aircraft Corporation, later the Wright Aeronautical Corporation, acquired the American rights and claimed improvements during further development.
    In 1916, the Societe d'Exploitation des Materiels Hispano-Suiza of France began manufacturing Type A engines for the Spad fighter. Produced under license by Wright-Martin, this engine powered U.S. military training aircraft such as the Curtiss JN-4H.
    .

    Credit Line

    Transferred from the U.S. Navy

    Date

    1918

    Inventory Number

    A19710885000

    Restrictions & Rights

    CC0

    Type

    PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary

    Materials

    Metal
    Cadmium Plating

    Dimensions

    3-D: 144 × 84.9 × 832cm (4 ft. 8 11/16 in. × 2 ft. 9 7/16 in. × 27 ft. 3 9/16 in.)
    Support: 75 × 86 × 55.5cm (2 ft. 5 1/2 in. × 2 ft. 9 7/8 in. × 1 ft. 9 7/8 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

    World War I: The Birth of Military Aviation

    Data Source

    National Air and Space Museum

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9f1c91b8f-b225-4e4e-a41c-bf756aa16f0a

    Record ID

    nasm_A19710885000

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    Propulsion

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    Propulsion

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