Skip to main content Skip to main navigation
heart-solid My Visit Donate
Home Smithsonian Institution IK development site for ODI
Press Enter to activate a submenu, down arrow to access the items and Escape to close the submenu.
    • Overview
    • Museums and Zoo
    • Entry and Guidelines
    • Museum Maps
    • Dine and Shop
    • Accessibility
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Group Visits
    • Overview
    • Exhibitions
    • Online Events
    • All Events
    • IMAX & Planetarium
    • Overview
    • Topics
    • Collections
    • Research Resources
    • Stories
    • Podcasts
    • Overview
    • For Caregivers
    • For Educators
    • For Students
    • For Academics
    • For Lifelong Learners
    • Overview
    • Become a Member
    • Renew Membership
    • Make a Gift
    • Volunteer
    • Overview
    • Our Organization
    • Our Leadership
    • Reports and Plans
    • Newsdesk
heart-solid My Visit Donate

Martin 4-333, Inverted In-line 4 Engine

Air and Space Museum

This media is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Open Access page.
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
View manifest View in Mirador Viewer

    Object Details

    Manufacturer

    Martin Motors Company

    Physical Description

    Type: Reciprocating, In-line, Inverted, 4 cylinders, Air-cooled
    Power: 89.5 kW (120 hp) at 2,100 rpm
    Displacement: 5.47 L (333.98 cu in.)
    Bore and Stroke: 114 mm (4.5 in.) x 133 mm (5.25 in.)
    Weight: 120 kg (265 lb)

    Summary

    The Chevrolet Brothers Aircraft Company, owned by Swiss immigrants Arthur and Louis Chevrolet, well known designers of automobile engines and drivers of race cars, designed this in-line, inverted four-cylinder aircraft engine. In advertisements, Louis Chevrolet was quoted as saying "Upside down is right side up." For among the advantages of the design were improved pilot visibility and propeller ground clearance. Designated Model D-4, the engine was certificated in December 1929, and became known as the Chevrolair. A D-4 engine powered Travel Air low-wing aircraft won first place in its class at the September 1930 Cleveland National Air Races.
    Subsequently, the Chevrolet Brothers Aircraft Company failed and the engine design sold to the Glenn L. Martin Company of Baltimore, Maryland. Uprated and renamed Martin 333, it was recertificated in July 1930, and powered the Martin 162A Tadpole Clipper and various Driggs aircraft.

    Credit Line

    Exchange with the Airpower Museum, Ottumwa, Iowa

    Date

    Circa 1930

    Inventory Number

    A19900256000

    Restrictions & Rights

    CC0

    Type

    PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary

    Materials

    Aluminum, Steel, Paint, Phenolic, Rubber, Magnesium

    Dimensions

    Length 116. 2 cm (45.75 in.), Width 45.09 cm (17.75 in.), Height 87.00 cm (34.25 in.)

    Country of Origin

    United States of America

    See more items in

    National Air and Space Museum Collection

    Data Source

    National Air and Space Museum

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9b41000fb-14f1-4b96-b746-74e7648b4cf1

    Record ID

    nasm_A19900256000

    Discover More

    Image of Packard Merlin V-1650-7 engine

    Propulsion

    Image of Packard Merlin V-1650-7 engine

    Propulsion

    arrow-up Back to top
    Home
    • Facebook facebook
    • Instagram instagram
    • LinkedIn linkedin
    • YouTube youtube

    • Contact Us
    • Get Involved
    • Shop Online
    • Job Opportunities
    • Equal Opportunity
    • Inspector General
    • Records Requests
    • Accessibility
    • Host Your Event
    • Press Room
    • Privacy
    • Terms of Use