Hirth
| Company type | GmbH (private company) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace, Engine manufacturing |
| Predecessor | Versuchsbau Hellmuth Hirth, Leichtmetall-Werke GmbH, Elektronmetall GmbH, Hirth Motoren GmbH, Gobler-Hirth Motoren Gmbh |
| Founded | 1920s |
| Founder | Hellmuth Hirth |
| Fate | Acquired by UMS Skeldar in 2018; rebranded as Hirth Engines GmbH |
| Headquarters | Benningen , Germany |
Area served | Worldwide (light aircraft engines and other uses) |
Key people | Hans Göbler (former owner) |
| Products | Two-stroke engines for light aircraft, UAV piston engines, marine and stationary engines (historically) |
| Owner | UMS Aero Group (majority stake via UMS Skeldar) |
| Parent | UMS Aero Group |
Hirth Engines GmbH is a manufacturer of engines located in Benningen, Germany. Presently, it operates under the umbrella of the UMS Aero Group. The company’s origins date back to the 1920s when it began producing aero engines. During World War II, it was acquired by Heinkel to advance the development of Heinkel-Hirth jet propulsion systems. Today, Hirth focuses on producing compact two-stroke engines designed for light aircraft and various other uses.
Hellmuth Hirth and Early Developments
Founded by Hellmuth Hirth under the name Versuchsbau Hellmuth Hirth, the enterprise launched its first commercial product, the four-cylinder inverted inline HM 60, which ran initially in June 1923 and became available for sale the following year. Renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship, this engine laid the groundwork for the company’s future success.
The firm underwent several name changes, becoming Leichtmetall-Werke GmbH and later Elektronmetall GmbH. It eventually branched off its aero engine manufacturing division to establish Mahle GmbH, specializing in lightweight alloy components made from the magnesium alloy Elektron, including parts tailored for aircraft engines.
By 1931, the expanded aero engine enterprise was rebranded as Hirth Motoren GmbH. The introduction of the HM 60R model enhanced operational efficiency, followed by the development of six-, eight-, and twelve-cylinder variants based on the original design. Over the subsequent decade, Hirth emerged as one of Germany’s foremost producers of aircraft engines.
Heinkel-Hirth Era
In the late 1930s, Hans von Ohain conceived a jet engine while at Göttingen University. Although lacking an in-house engine production facility, aircraft manufacturer Heinkel hired him to continue his research. Collaborating with Wilhelm Gundermann, they created several experimental engines, including the HeS 3B, which powered the world’s first jet-powered aircraft, the Heinkel He 178, in 1939.
Following Hellmuth Hirth’s fatal plane accident in 1938, his company was nationalized by the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM). In 1942, Heinkel assumed control of the firm, establishing Heinkel-Hirth. While piston engine production persisted, Heinkel utilized Hirth’s facilities to develop their jet engine series. Despite achieving some technical milestones, these jet propulsion units did not enter mass production.
Gobler-Hirth and UMS Skeldar
After World War II, Hirth re-established itself as an independent entity. Due to restrictions on German aviation during this era, the company shifted focus to producing small marine engines, stationary engines, and motors for snowmobiles. In the early 1970s, the firm entered voluntary liquidation.
Subsequently, Hans Göbler acquired the business, continuing the production of compact two-stroke engines under the brand Gobler-Hirth Motoren Gmbh. He also reintroduced aero engines to their product lineup. By 2011, Gobler-Hirth was developing piston engines for UAVs designed to operate on heavier jet fuel, chosen for its superior energy density and easier handling.
In 2018, Gobler-Hirth was purchased by UMS Skeldar, a collaboration between Swedish aerospace manufacturer Saab AB and Swiss drone producer UMS Aero Group, with UMS holding the majority stake. The company was rebranded as Hirth Engines Gmbh. The Skeldar UAV series, initially developed by Saab, incorporated Hirth’s heavy-fuel piston engines alongside their existing gasoline-powered models.
Four-stroke piston (prewar and WWII)
- Hirth HM 60 - 4-cylinder inverted air-cooled inline aircraft engine, 80 hp (60 kW)
- Hirth HM 500 - 4-cylinder air-cooled inverted inline,
- Hirth HM 501 - 4-cylinder air-cooled inverted inline,
- Hirth HM 504 - 4-cylinder air-cooled inverted inline, 105 hp (78 kW)
- Hirth HM 506 - 6-cylinder air-cooled inverted inline, 165 hp (123 kW)
- Hirth HM 508 - 8-cylinder air-cooled inverted-V, 280 hp (209 kW)
- Hirth HM 512 - 12-cylinder air-cooled inverted-V, 400 hp (298 kW)
- Hirth HM 515 - 4-cylinder air-cooled inverted inline, 60 hp (45 kW)
Turbine (prewar and WWII)
- Heinkel HeS 1 - Prototype engine powered by hydrogen tested on a bench approximately five months following the initial Whittle prototype test.
- Heinkel HeS 3 - The first jet engine to achieve flight.
- Heinkel-Hirth HeS 30 - Also known as 006.
- Heinkel-Hirth HeS 40 - Engine featuring "constant volume" combustion.
- Heinkel-Hirth HeS 50 - Ducted-fan unit designed for extended flight durations.
- Heinkel-Hirth HeS 60 - An enhanced version of HeS 50 with an extra turbine stage.
- Heinkel-Hirth HeS 011 - Advanced twin-spool jet engine design with nineteen test units produced.
Two-stroke piston engines (post-World War II)
- Hirth F-23 - twin-cylinder two-stroke engine producing 50 hp (37 kW)
- Hirth F-30 - four-cylinder two-stroke engine with 110 hp (82 kW)
- Hirth F-33 - single-cylinder two-stroke delivering 28 hp (21 kW)
- Hirth F-36 - one-cylinder two-stroke engine rated at 15 hp (11 kW)
- Hirth F-40 - four-cylinder two-stroke engine generating 120 hp (89 kW)
- Hirth F-102 - twin-cylinder two-stroke with 26 hp (19 kW)
- Hirth F-263 - two-cylinder two-stroke producing 31 hp (23 kW)
- Hirth 2702 - twin-cylinder two-stroke engine outputting 40 hp (30 kW)
- Hirth 2703 - two-cylinder two-stroke delivering 55 hp (41 kW)
- Hirth 2704 - twin-cylinder two-stroke rated at 53 hp (40 kW)
- Hirth 2706 - two-cylinder two-stroke engine with 65 hp (48 kW)
- Hirth 3002 - four-cylinder two-stroke providing 83 hp (62 kW)
- Hirth 3202 - twin-cylinder two-stroke generating 55 hp (41 kW)
- Hirth 3203 - two-cylinder two-stroke outputting 65 hp (48 kW)
- Hirth 3502 - twin-cylinder two-stroke producing 60 hp (45 kW)
- Hirth 3503 - two-cylinder two-stroke rated at 70 hp (52 kW)
- Hirth 3701 - three-cylinder two-stroke engine delivering 100 hp (75 kW)
