Lorraine 12D
| Industry | Aircraft engine manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1917 |
| Founder | Marius Barbarou (engine designer) |
| Headquarters | France |
| Products | Lorraine 12D series aircraft engines |
The Lorraine 12D, also referred to as the Lorraine-Dietrich 12D, represents a family of water-cooled V12 engines developed by the French manufacturer Lorraine-Dietrich. Launched in 1917, these powerplants were installed in bomber aircraft operated by the French Navy during World War I. Among its variants, the Lorraine 12Da stood out as the most potent French engine of that era. Following the war, Italian company Isotta Fraschini obtained licenses to produce the engine, continuing manufacturing until 1925.
Design and development
In 1916, engineer Marius Barbarou designed a novel 60-degree V12 engine featuring a bore size that expanded upon the earlier Lorraine-Dietrich 8B by incorporating two additional cylinders on each bank. This design received approval in January 1917 at , leading to an initial production run of 50 units of the original 12D model. Later that same year, the upgraded 12Da variant delivered increased power output of , with a total of 400 engines produced, making it France’s most powerful aviation engine during the First World War. The enhanced performance necessitated extra radiators, which added weight and consequently limited flight endurance to roughly two hours—adequate for military assignments but inadequate for commercial aviation.
Manufacturing took place in Argenteuil to fulfill demand for French Navy bombers. After the armistice in November 1918, hundreds of surplus engines remained and found use in naval experimental aircraft. Production came to an end by 1922. Subsequently, in 1924, Italian firm Isotta Fraschini secured licensing rights for the 12Db version and marketed it under their own name until ceasing production in 1925.
Variants
The Lorraine 12D series comprised multiple variants:[1]
| Year | Model | Power | Configuration | Displacement | Quantity Produced |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1916 | 12D | 370 hp (280 kW) | Water-cooled V12 at 60° | 24.4L (1489 cu.in.) | 50 units |
| 1917 | 12Da | 400 hp (300 kW) | Water-cooled V12 at 60° | 24.4L (1489 cu.in.) | 400 units |
| 1918 | 12Db | 400 hp (300 kW) | Water-cooled V12 at 60° | 24.4L (1489 cu.in.) | 850 units |
| 1919 | 12Dc | 370 hp (280 kW) | Water-cooled V12 | 24.4L (1489 cu.in.) | 100 units |
Applications
Early aircraft from Groupe Latécoère were powered by the Lorraine 12D. The more powerful 12Da found use in prototypes such as the CAMS 37 seaplane and initial models from Potez. The primary users of the 12Db variant included manufacturers like Farman Aviation Works and Société Latham.[2] Under license agreements, Italian company Isotta Fraschini produced the 12Db for installation in Italian aircraft including the Macchi M.7, Macchi M.24bis, and Caproni Ca.73bis.[3]
Aircraft equipped with various Lorraine 12D versions include:
12D
12Da
- CAMS 37 (prototype), Latham 43, Lioré et Olivier LeO H-10, SEA IV, Potez SEA VII, Potez IX, Potez XII, Farman F.120, Percheron 18
12Db
- Besson MB.26, Latham E-5, Lioré et Olivier LeO 12, Levasseur PL.3, numerous Potez models (XI, XV, XVII, 23, 27), several types from Farman (F.60 Goliath, F.62, F.63bis, F.122, F.140 Super Goliath, F.150bis), Italian types (Breda A.7 L.D., Breda A.8, various CANT models), among others such as the Caproni Ca.71, Macchi M.7, and Yokosuka E1Y
12Dc