Isotta Fraschini Beta

Isotta Fraschini

Industry	Aerospace, Aircraft engines
Headquarters	Italy

Template:Infobox aero engine

The Isotta Fraschini Beta was an air-cooled piston engine designed for aircraft, manufactured by the Italian firm Isotta Fraschini during the 1940s. This inverted six-cylinder inline engine was a derivative of the V-12 Gamma. Although it was installed on several aircraft models such as the Nardi FN.316 and the Ambrosini SAI.7, its operational performance was largely deemed unsatisfactory.

Design and development

Following the development of the successful V-12 Gamma engine, which powered the lightweight fighter Ambrosini SAI.107, Isotta Fraschini created the Beta by essentially halving this larger powerplant to form an inverted six-cylinder inline configuration. The Beta retained the same bore and stroke dimensions as its predecessor. Its construction featured a one-piece aluminium alloy crankcase combined with steel and aluminium cylinders, each equipped with a single intake and exhaust valve. The engine was fitted with an Isotta Fraschini-designed carburettor alongside a single-speed supercharger.

Produced in limited quantities, the Beta powered several Italian training aircraft, including the Nardi FN.316, which saw restricted use by the Regia Aeronautica, Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana, and German Luftwaffe during World War II. Despite these applications, the engine's reliability issues contributed to the cancellation of projects like the IMAM Ro.63 STOL reconnaissance aircraft.

Variants

Beta R.C.10 ISZ

Delivered 300 hp (224 kW) for take-off and 270 hp (201 kW) at an altitude of 1,500 m (4,921 ft).

Applications

• CANSA C.6
• IMAM Ro.63
• Nardi FN.316
• Ambrosini SAI.7

Specifications

{{pistonspecs| |ref=Wilkinson, 1945 |type= 6-cylinder air-cooled inverted inline aircraft piston engine |bore= 125 mm (4.9 in) |stroke= 130 mm (5.1 in) |displacement= 9.6 L (586 in³) |length= 1,625 mm (64.0 in) |width= 410 mm (16 in) |height= 800 mm (31 in) |weight= 225 kg (496 lb) |valvetrain= Two valves per cylinder operated by overhead camshaft |supercharger= Single-stage with 10.0:1 ratio |fueltype= 87 octane petrol |coolingsystem= Air-cooled |power=

• • (Take-off) 300 hp (224 kW) at 2700 rpm
    
  • (Normal) 270 hp (201 kW) at 2500 rpm at {{convert|4600|m|ft|}
  • (Cruise) 210 hp (157 kW) at 2200 rpm at 4,600