Potez 6D
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1930s |
| Products | Aircraft engines |
The Potez 6D represents a French six-cylinder inverted inline aircraft powerplant developed after World War II, available in both naturally aspirated and supercharged configurations. The naturally aspirated variant produced a maximum take-off output of at 2,530 revolutions per minute.
Design and development
During the 1930s, Potez initiated the creation of a new engine family intended to succeed their Anzani-based radial engines. The four-cylinder inverted inline Potez 4D was operational prior to World War II but only entered series production in the late 1940s, concurrently with the six-cylinder 6D and the eight-cylinder inverted-V Potez 8D. These D-series engines shared common components such as pistons, cylinders, bore, stroke, valve mechanisms, connecting rods, and lubrication systems. Both inline configurations were offered with either standard aspiration or supercharging.
Variants
- 6D-00
- 6D-02
- Comparable to the 6D-30A without supercharging; fitted with two Hobson A1.55/j downdraft carburettors; delivers at 2,530 rpm.
- 6D-30A
- Features a centrifugal supercharger (14.0:1 drive ratio) mounted above the engine and includes fuel injection; rated power , take-off power .
- 6D-30B
- Equipped with an increased supercharger drive ratio of 15.5:1; take-off power rated at at 2,400 rpm.
Applications
- Morane-Saulnier Alcyon – produced in quantities exceeding 200 units
- Nord Noralpha
- Nord Norécrin
Survivors
As of 2014, numerous Alcyon aircraft remain airworthy in France, with 34 registered on the national civil aviation registry.
Specifications (Potez 6D-02)
Notable components: Pistons made from Y-alloy featuring dual compression and scraper rings; forged aluminium I-section connecting rods with split big-end bearings and lead-bronze inserts; six-throw forged nitrided nickel-chromium-molybdenum steel crankshaft incorporating a ball thrust bearing along with seven lead-bronze coated bearings; crankcase constructed from cast aluminium alloy.