Sunbeam side-valve aircraft engines
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace, Engineering |
| Founded | 1912 |
| Founder | Louis Coatalen (chief engineer) |
| Headquarters | Wolverhampton , England |
Key people | Louis Coatalen (chief engineer) |
| Products | Aircraft engines, aircraft design |
Sunbeam, based in Wolverhampton, England, commenced the manufacture of aircraft engines in 1912 under the leadership of chief engineer Louis Coatalen, who had joined the firm in 1909 after leaving Humber. The company rapidly established itself as a prominent British engine producer and also ventured into designing its own aircraft. Engine production halted following Coatalen's exit in the 1930s.
Crusader engine
At the end of 1912, Coatalen developed the Crusader, a V8 powerplant generating 120 hp at 2500 rpm, which was publicly introduced in March 1913. This engine was created to fill the gap in available British aero engines. For testing purposes, Sunbeam procured a French Farman biplane and employed test pilot John Alcock, who later gained renown for completing the first nonstop transatlantic flight. Flight trials began at Brooklands in October 1913 and were extensively conducted throughout southern England until the onset of World War I.
Zulu engine
Introduced in 1915, the Zulu represented an improved iteration of the Crusader, featuring an increased bore from 90 mm to 100 mm along with revised reduction gearing. This enhanced version produced 160 hp at 2000 rpm and was utilized to power various Coastal Airship models.
Mohawk engine
The Mohawk was a larger V12 adaptation of the Crusader, initially equipped with an 80 mm bore which was subsequently enlarged to 90 mm. Its power output increased from 200 hp to 225 hp, earning it the moniker Sunbeam 225. Predominantly installed in small seaplanes known as "225s," this engine featured two side valves per cylinder operated by poppet valves, employed water cooling, had a dry weight of 905 lb, and was fitted with four Claudel-Hobson carburettors alongside twin ignition magnetos.
Gurkha engine
The Gurkha succeeded the Mohawk with a comparable design but incorporated an enlarged bore and a change in reduction gearing from 2:1 to 1.86:1, resulting in an output increase to 240 hp at 2000 rpm. Production ceased in October 1916 after manufacturing 74 units, which were supplied for Royal Naval Air Service Short Type 184 seaplanes. One preserved Gurkha engine is displayed at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, installed in aircraft number 8359 that participated in the Battle of Jutland (May 1916). The pilot flying this aircraft was Flight Lieutenant Frederick Rutland, famously known as "Rutland of Jutland."
External links
- Sunbeam Aircraft and Aero Engines – Wolverhampton Museum of Industry
References
- Brew, Alec (1998). Sunbeam Aero-engines. Airlife. ISBN 1-84037-023-8