Gnome Omega
| Omega | |
|---|---|
| |
| Gnome 7 Omega on display at the Royal Air Force Museum London | |
| Type | Rotary aero engine |
| Manufacturer | Société des Moteurs Gnome |
| First run | Template:Avyear |
| Major applications | Blériot XI Bristol Boxkite |
| Number built | 4,000 until 1914[1] |
The Gnome 7 Omega (commonly called the Gnome 50 hp) is a French seven-cylinder, air-cooled aero engine produced by Gnome et Rhône.[2] It was shown at the Paris Aero Salon held in December 1908 and was first flown in 1909. It was the world's first[1] aviation rotary engine produced in quantity. Its introduction revolutionized the aviation industry[3] and it was used by many early aircraft. It produced 50 horsepower (37 kW) from its capacity of 8 litres (488 cubic inches).[4] A Gnome Omega engine powers the 1912 Blackburn Monoplane, owned and operated by the Shuttleworth Collection, the oldest known airworthy British-designed aeroplane worldwide.[5] A two-row version of the same engine was also produced, known as the Gnome 14 Omega-Omega or Gnome 100 hp. The prototype Omega engine still exists, and is on display at the United States' National Air and Space Museum.[2]
Variants
- Gnome 7 Omega
- Single-row 7-cyl. original version; 50 hp (37 kW).
- Gnome 14 Omega-Omega
- Two-row, 14-cylinder version using Omega cylinders; 100 hp (75 kW).
Applications
Gnome 7 Omega
Gnome 14 Omega-Omega
- Avro 501
- Blériot XIII
- Bleriot XXIII
- Bristol-Gordon England G.E.2
- Coventry Ordnance Works Biplane 10
- Deperdussin 1912 Racing Monoplane
- Nieuport IV.H floatplane
- Short S.41 Tractor Biplane
- Short S.57 Seaplane
- Short S.64 Folder Seaplane
- Short Admiralty Type 74
Engines on display
- The very first Gnome rotary engine ever built, Gnôme Omega No. 1, is on display at the National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C.[2]
- A preserved production Gnome 7 Omega engine is on public display at the Royal Air Force Museum London.
- A restored Omega is on display at the New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks, CT.[7]
Specifications (7 Omega)
Data from Lumsden.[4]
General characteristics
- Type: 7-cylinder, single-row, rotary engine
- Bore: 110 mm (4.3 in)
- Stroke: 120 mm (4.7 in)
- Displacement: 8 L (488.5 cu in)
- Length: 79 cm (31 in)
- Diameter: 84 cm (33 in)
- Dry weight: 75 kg (165 lb)
Components
- Valvetrain: pressure-driven inlet valves were located on the pistons[1]
- Oil system: Total loss, castor oil
- Cooling system: Air-cooled
- Reduction gear: Direct drive, right-hand tractor, left-hand pusher
Performance
- Power output: 37 kW (50 hp) at 1,200 rpm
See also
Comparable engines
Related lists
Footnotes
- ^ a b c Nahum 1999, pp. 12–14
- ^ a b c Smithsonian Institution 2018
- ^ Murphy 2005
- ^ a b Lumsden 2003, p. 152
- ^ Shuttleworth 2018
- ^ Schiere 1969, pp. 15–16
- ^ Hurley 2018
References
- Hurley, Nick (2018). "Gnome 7 Omega". New England Air Museum. Archived from the original on Aug 17, 2018. Retrieved Aug 17, 2018.
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- Lumsden, Alec (2003). British Piston Engines and their Aircraft. Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1853102946.
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- Murphy, Justin D. (2005). Military aircraft, origins to 1918 : an illustrated history of their impact. Santa Barbara, Calif. [u.a.]: ABC-CLIO. pp. 32–33. ISBN 1-85109-488-1.
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- Nahum, Andrew (1999). The rotary aero engine. London, UK: Science Museum. pp. 12–14. ISBN 1-900747-12-X.
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- Schiere, J (1969) [1913]. "Aeroplanes & Dirigibles: Argentine". In Jane, Fred T. (ed.). Jane's All the World's Aircraft (html). Vol. 1913. New York, NY: Arco Publishing Company Inc. LCCN 69-14964. Retrieved Aug 17, 2018.
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- Smithsonian Institution (2018). "Gnome Omega No. 1 Rotary Engine". National Air and Space Museum. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution. Archived from the original on Aug 17, 2018. Retrieved Aug 17, 2018.
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- Shuttleworth (2018). "Blackburn Monoplane". Shuttleworth Collection. Archived from the original on Aug 17, 2018. Retrieved Aug 17, 2018.
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Further reading
- Moteurs d'Aviation Gnome (PDF) (in French). 49, Rue Lafitte, Paris: Société Des Moteurs Gnome. 1910. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
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External links
