Isotta Fraschini Delta

The Delta was a 12-cylinder inverted-V aircraft engine built by Isotta Fraschini prior to and during World War II.[1]

Delta
Preserved Delta RC131
Type V-12 piston engine
Manufacturer Isotta Fraschini
First run 1927
Number built c.3,300

Design and development

The Delta is a fairly rare example of a large air-cooled inline engine, which normally have cooling problems with the rearmost cylinders. It produced about 750 hp in common versions, although others were rated up to 900 hp. The Delta was not widely used, although it could be found on a number of production aircraft and some advanced prototypes.

The engine included a number of otherwise advanced features. For instance, the valves were powered by dual overhead cams driven by power shafts at the rear of the engine. Exhaust ports were arranged to exit toward the middle of the engine, one cylinder bank being the mirror of the other, allowing the piping to be ganged below the engine nacelle.

Variants

Delta R.C.20/55 ID-IS
Delta R.C.21/60
Delta R.C.35
Delta R.C.35 I
Delta R.C.35 IS
Delta R.C.40 IS
Delta R.C.40 ID-IS
Delta R.C.48
Delta III R.C.40
Delta IV R.C.17/50

Applications

Delta-powered CANT Z.515 floatplane

Specifications (Delta RC35-IDS)

Frontal view of sectioned engine

Data from Aircraft engines of the World.[2]

General characteristics

  • Type: 12-cylinder air-cooled 60 degree inverted vee
  • Bore: 132 mm (5.2 in)
  • Stroke: 160 mm (6.3 in)
  • Displacement: 26.7 L (1,630 cu in)
  • Length: 2,000 mm (78.7 in)
  • Width: 840 mm (33.1 in)
  • Height: 883 mm (34.8 in)
  • Dry weight: 510 kg (1,124 lb)

Components

Performance

  • Power output:
  • 570 kW (770 hp) at 2,600 rpm (take off)
  • 560 kW (750 hp) at 2,600 rpm at 4,000 m (13,000 ft)

See also

Comparable engines

Related lists

References

  1. Gunston 1989, p.82.
  2. Wilkinson 1945, p. 286.

Bibliography

  • Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9
  • Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London. Studio Editions Ltd, 1989. ISBN 0-517-67964-7
  • Wilkinson, Paul H. Aircraft engines of the World 1945. New York, Paul H. Wilkinson, 1945.
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