ABC Wasp

The ABC Wasp was an experimental 170 hp (127 kW) seven-cylinder radial engine designed by the noted British engineer Granville Bradshaw, and primarily built by ABC Motors Limited. An order for twelve experimental ABC Wasp engines was placed with Guy Motors on 19 April 1918.[1] Eight ABC Wasp engines were made by Crossley Motors Ltd of Manchester, England.[2]

ABC Wasp
The WASP engine
Type Radial engine
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer ABC Motors
Designer Granville Bradshaw
First run 1916
Number built 56

Design and development

The ABC Wasp was one of the first large non-rotary air-cooled radials. At a weight of 290 pounds (131 kg), it had a reasonable power-to-weight ratio at 0.6 horsepower per pound. This World War I–era engine is noteworthy because it was one of the first in which the cylinders were coated with copper in an attempt to dissipate heat. The ABC Wasp never evolved beyond the experimental stage, but it was the predecessor of the unsuccessful Dragonfly engine.[3][4]

Variants
Wasp I
1918, 160 hp (119 kW) 4.5 in × 5.9 in (110 mm × 150 mm)[5]
Wasp II
1919, 200 hp (149 kW) 4.75 in × 6.25 in (121 mm × 159 mm)[5]

Applications
Wasp I
Wasp II

Specifications (Wasp I)
The ABC Wasp on display.

Data from Lumsden.[6]

General characteristics
  • Type: 7-cylinder air-cooled radial
  • Bore: 4.53 in (115 mm)
  • Stroke: 5.9 in (150 mm)
  • Displacement: 667.1 cu in (10.78 L)
  • Diameter: 42 in (1,067 mm)
  • Dry weight: 290 lb (131 kg)

Components
  • Fuel system: 2 Claudel-Hobson Carburettors
  • Fuel type: 40–50 octane petrol
  • Cooling system: Air-cooled

Performance

See also

Related development

Related lists

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to ABC Wasp.

Notes
  1. "Aircraft Component Manufacturers – Guy Motors". Archived from the original on 1 June 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2008.
  2. "Aircraft engine, ABC Wasp No.1". Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  3. "Fact Sheets : British ABC Wasp : British ABC Wasp". Archived from the original on 29 December 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2008.
  4. "OLD RHINEBECK AERODROME – ABC Wasp". Archived from the original on 8 June 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2008.
  5. Angle, Glenn D. (1921). Airplane Engine Encyclopedia. Dayton, Ohio: THE OTTERBEIN PRESS.
  6. Lumsden 2003, p.52.

Bibliography
  • Gunston, Bill (1986). World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Wellingborough: Patrick Stephens. p. 9.
  • Lumsden, Alec. British Piston Engines and their Aircraft. Marlborough, Wiltshire: Airlife Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-85310-294-6.
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