Isotta Fraschini Gamma
| Industry | Aircraft engine manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1900s (exact year not provided) |
| Headquarters | Italy |
| Products | Aircraft engines, including the Gamma, Beta, Delta, and Zeta engines |
The Isotta Fraschini Gamma was an air-cooled aircraft powerplant created by the Italian manufacturer Isotta Fraschini during the 1930s. This inverted V12 configuration delivered over 500 hp (373 kW). Manufactured in limited quantities, it powered experimental aircraft such as the Ambrosini SAI.107 and the Caproni Vizzola F.5 Gamma fighter trainer prototypes. The Gamma served as a foundation for the more potent and widely produced Delta engine.
Design and development
The Gamma featured an air-cooled, inverted V layout with twelve cylinders arranged in two banks. Each cylinder had a bore of 125 mm (4.9 in) and a stroke length of 130 mm (5.1 in).[1] During World War II, Isotta Fraschini manufactured the Gamma in small batches, with power output around 500 hp (373 kW).[2]
This engine was the basis for several other powerplants developed by the company. The larger and more powerful Delta was created to complement the Gamma’s capabilities. The Beta, a straight-six engine, essentially represented half of the Gamma’s configuration, while the Zeta combined two Gamma engines on a shared crankshaft, forming an X24 engine. A common issue among these engines, including the Gamma, was inadequate cooling of the rear cylinders, which hindered further advancement.[3]
In 1942, British sources speculated about an Italian engine named Isotta Fraschini Gamma producing approximately 1,700 hp (1,268 kW) at 2200 rpm during take-off, featuring a displacement of 55.562 L (3,391 in3), with a bore of 195 mm (7.7 in) and stroke measuring 192.5 mm (7.58 in).[4]
Variants
- Gamma R.C.15
- Delivered 540 hp (403 kW) at an altitude of 1,500 m (4,921 ft)[2]
- Gamma R.C.35
- Produced 515 hp (384 kW) at 3,500 m (11,483 ft)[5]
Applications
Specifications
See also
References
Notes
- ↑ Wilkinson 1945, p. 297.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Gunston 1998, p. 93.
- ↑ Pearce 2017.
- ↑ Morrison 1942, p. 450.
- ↑ Flugsport 1940, p. 237.
- ↑ Thompson 1963, p. 15.
- ↑ Thompson 1963, p. 121.
- ↑ Brotzu, Caso & Cosolo 1973, p. 30.
Bibliography
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