Fiat AS.5
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Founded | July 11, 1899 in Italy |
| Headquarters | Italy |
| Products | Aircraft engines |
The Fiat AS.5 was a liquid-cooled, twelve-cylinder V engine developed by Fiat in the late 1920s specifically for participation in the 1929 Schneider Trophy competition.[1]
Design and development
In preparation for the 1929 Schneider Trophy race, Fiat designed a new seaplane intended to rival British competitors such as those from Gloster and Supermarine. To reduce frontal drag, they opted for a compact V-12 configuration that established new benchmarks in size for engines delivering around 1,000 horsepower (750 kW). This naturally aspirated engine achieved a high power-to-weight ratio by employing an elevated compression ratio and utilizing a specialized fuel mixture composed of equal parts petrol and benzole.[2]
One challenge with the AS.5 was its peak power output occurring at elevated crankshaft speeds (3,000 rpm) without incorporating output gearing, necessitating careful selection of propellers to optimize performance. Later production models included a reduction gear system.[3] The AS.5 served as the foundation for the development of the AS.6, which essentially combined two AS.5 engines arranged in tandem.
Applications
Specifications (AS.5)
See also
Notes
Bibliography
- Eves, Edward The Schneider Trophy Story. Shrewsbury. Airlife Publishing Ltd., 2001. ISBN 1-84037-257-5.
- Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9