NEC Aircraft Engines

From the New Engine Company this relatively simple engine, using copper plated water jackets
showed considerable promise with weight and mechanical advantages of two stroke operation.

Three models were made in two, four, and six cylinder vertical versions all being water cooled two stroke systems. All were dogged by poor fuel consumption making them uneconomical
as the fuel carried for distance diadvantaged the engine weight.

Later as shown in the picture a vee layout was tried.

Used mainly by the Short Wright Biplanes a four cylinder of 40 hp weighed in at 290 pounds.

Ancient Aircraft Engines

The ENV aircraft Engine of the 1930s period.

Manufactured by the London and Parisien Motor Company.
An inline eight cylinder layout in the 90 degree Vee form with a rating of 80 Horsepower.
Due to fuel octane rating, and low compression ratios engines of this time could only produce
the power for flight from cylinder capacity and this first engine from the United Kingdom,
was of around eight litres from the bore of 100 mmm and stroke of 130 mm.
With modest valve timing and a weight of near 300 pounds it reached a four pounds per
horsepower output.

Miles Aircraft

Falcon

A later version of the Miles hawk, made to the needs of Whitney Straight a known American racing driver. Note the modified undercarriage with sliding fairings.

Manufactured in 1934 by Phillips and Powis Ltd to the designs of F G Miles and his wife the model illustrated is the Hawk Major, a two seat tandem monoplane using the DH Gipsy major

engine of 130 hp. The maximum speed of 148 mph allowed a cruise of 130, and a range of 740

miles.

Prototypes used the Amherst Villiers Maya engine from the Supercharger factory.

Later models of the M II were used in the Second world war and the first trial for seed dropping

and topdressing were carried out in New Zealand in the "Falcon" cabin version.

One example survives in the Alberta Aircraft Museum Canada.

Monospar Aircraft

Produced in England during the 1930 period this range of twin engine low wing monoplanes, made by the General Aviation Company, ran to a large number of models.
Five passenger, with two Pobjoy Niagra engines of 80 hp it was specified to reach 142 mph.
A special model the Jubilee competed in the 1934 England to Australia air race and during
the return flight from Melbourne to Darwin , recorded a speed of 185 mph at only 75% power.
It's speciality was the manufacture of the wing on a single spar with wire bracing, extending also to the fuselage structure .viz Monospar. H. J. Steiger was the designer.
With a range of 585 miles and a ceiling height of 16,000 feet it was a model popular with the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and the Spanish Republican Air Force. The last surviving
sample flown by New Zealand Aerial Mapping was destroyed by fire in 1986.
One model was designed with retractable main wheels.

Ancient Aircraft and Engines

To all and sundry who collect pictures of ancient and veteran aircraft, I say welcome.

If you should have even a vague interest in this subject, I will be happy to supply the picture or pictures that I am about to publish weekly on this space by email.

What are they? My late father was a pilot in the first world war, and for the rest of his life collected newspaper articles related to famous flyers and their aircraft.

I have held them in a secure store until each could be scanned and placed in order of age into this information collection.

Revision ....due to this subject being well covered by aviastar.com I have chosen to show only aircraft not appearing on that site and will now show ancient aircraft engines instead.
Regarding engines...doubtless in the beginning the Wright motor would be the first . Howver it was never repated for any commercial venture and both the war and a high interest in the United kingdom provided real development. Early motorcycle engines namely JAP, used by Elliot Verdon Roe (Avro) were most significant followed by Vivimus, ENV , NEC, and Green.
The USA moved into the War at a later stage with the Liberty Engines in several forms.