The Gnome et Rhône 18L was a French-designed twin-row 18-cylinder air-cooled radial engine. The 18L was a large step up in terms of displacement, power and number of cylinders. The majority of Gnome-Rhone engines were either 7, 9 or 14 cylinders. The engine proved not to be a success, and it was dropped in 1939 due to a poor power-to-weight ratio.

18L
Type	Radial engine
National origin	France
Manufacturer	Gnome et Rhône

Specifications (Gnome Rhone 18L-00)

Data from Flight:POWER at the SALON[1]

General characteristics

• Type: 18-cylinder twin-row air-cooled radial engine
• Bore: 146 mm (5.7 in)
• Stroke: 190 mm (7.5 in)
• Displacement: 54.2 l (3,310 cu in)
• Height: 1,400 mm (55 in)
• Dry weight: 736 kg (1,623 lb)

Components

• Valvetrain: 1 inlet and 1 exhaust valve per cylinder
• Supercharger: Yes
• Fuel system: 1 Bronzania Carburetor
• Fuel type: 87 octane
• Cooling system: air
• Reduction gear: 0.684:1

Performance

• Power output: 970 kW (1,300 hp) at 2,170 rpm at 3,400 m (11,000 ft); 1,000 kW (1,400 hp) max
• Compression ratio: 5.5:1
• Power-to-weight ratio: 0.8 hp/lb at cruise speed

See also

Comparable engines

• Alfa Romeo 135
• BMW 802
• Bristol Centaurus
• Fiat A.82
• Nakajima Homare
• Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp
• Tumansky M-90
• Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone

Related lists

• List of aircraft engines

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gnome-Rhône 18L.

Further reading

• Gunston, Bill (1987). World Encyclopaedia of Aero Engines (Reprint. ed.). Wellingborough: Stephens. p. 84. ISBN 9780850597172.

External links