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Packard 2A-1500, Inverted V-12 Engine

Air and Space Museum

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    Object Details

    Manufacturer

    Packard Motor Car Company (Detroit, Michigan)

    Physical Description

    Type: Reciprocating, inverted, V-type, 12-cylinders, liquid cooled
    Power rating: 447 kW (600 hp) at 2,500 rpm
    Displacement: 25.1 L (1530.4 cu in.)
    Bore and Stroke: 136.5 mm (5.375 in.) x 139.7 mm (5.5 in.)
    Weight: 354 kg (780 lb)

    Summary

    In 1923, the Packard Motor Car Company began development of a new series of 12-cylinder aircraft engines that would more fully meet the requirements of the Army and Navy. In these new designs, a great step forward was made in decreasing the weight per horsepower. The first engine employing the new construction, the 268 kW (360 hp) Packard 1300, was built under a Navy contract.
    While this engine was under development, Packard obtained an Army contract for a refined and enlarged version known as the 1500. This was superseded by the 2A-1500, built in upright direct drive and geared configurations and inverted direct drive configurations. The inverted engine could be mounted with its propeller shaft on top so that the propeller had maximum ground clearance, and also improved pilot visibility.
    Among aircraft powered by this engine were the Curtiss R3C-3 racer, the two-engine Huff-Daland XB-1 bomber, Boeing FB-5 pursuit aircraft, and Navy PN-10 seaplane.

    Credit Line

    Transferred from the War Department

    Date

    Circa 1925

    Inventory Number

    A19320075000

    Restrictions & Rights

    CC0

    Type

    PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary

    Materials

    Steel, Aluminum, Paint, Rubber, Copper, Ceramic, Preservative coating, Phenolic, Brass

    Dimensions

    Length 162.4 cm (63.94 in.), Width 68.2 cm (26.87 in.), Height 87.8 cm (34.56 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/nv9318326b9-33e9-46da-b652-55d542065a28

    Record ID

    nasm_A19320075000

    Discover More

    Image of Packard Merlin V-1650-7 engine

    Propulsion

    Image of Packard Merlin V-1650-7 engine

    Propulsion

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