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Liberty 12 Model A (Ford) V-12 Engine

National Air and Space Museum

Object Details

Designer
Elbert J. Hall
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Designer
Jesse G. Vincent
Physical Description
Type: Reciprocating, V-type, 12 cylinders, water cooled
Power rating: 298 kW (400 hp) at 1,800 rpm
Displacement: 27 L (1,649 cu in.)
Bore and Stroke: 127 mm (5 in.) x 178 mm (7 in.)
Weight: 383 kg (844 lb)
Summary
The Liberty engine was America's most important contribution to aeronautical technology during World War I. Jesse G. Vincent of Packard and Elbert J. Hall of Hall-Scott co-designed it in mid-1917 for the U.S. government, which wanted a standard design in 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-cylinder versions that could be quickly mass-produced to equip U.S. combat aircraft. Automakers Ford, Lincoln, Packard, Marmon, and Buick produced 20,748 Liberty 12s before the Armistice, which insured their widespread use into the 1920s and '30s.
This is one of the four Ford Motor Co. Liberty 12 Model A's that powered the Navy-Curtiss NC-4, the first aircraft to cross the Atlantic Ocean, May 16-31, 1919. The Model A also powered such aircraft as the de Havilland DH-4, Fokker T2, Loening Model 23, Douglas World Cruiser, Douglas M-1 Mailplane, and Curtiss H-16 flying boat.
Long Description
Ford Liberty 12 Model A
The Liberty engine was America's most important contribution to aeronautical technology during World War I. Jesse G. Vincent of Packard and Elbert J. Hall of Hall-Scott co-designed it in mid-1917 for the U.S. government, which wanted a standard design in 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-cylinder versions that could be quickly mass-produced to equip U.S. combat aircraft. Automakers Ford, Lincoln, Packard, Marmon, and Buick produced 20,748 Liberty 12s before the Armistice, which insured their widespread use into the 1920s and '30s.
This is one of the four Liberty 12 Model A's that powered the Navy-Curtiss NC-4, the first aircraft to cross the Atlantic Ocean, May 16-31, 1919. The Model A also powered such aircraft as the de Havilland DH-4, Fokker T2, Loening Model 23, Douglas World Cruiser, Douglas M-1 Mailplane, and Curtiss H-16 flying boat.
Transferred from the U.S. Navy, Bureau of Aeronautics
Type: reciprocating, 12 cylinders, V-type, liquid cooled
Power rating: 298 kW (400 hp) at 1,800 rpm
Displacement: 27 L (1,649 cu in)
Weight: 383 kg (844 lb)
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Co., Detroit, Mich.
A19230029000
Credit Line
Transferred from the U.S. Navy Department, Bureau of Aeronautics, Washington, D.C.
1919
Inventory Number
A19230029000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
Materials
Metal
Dimensions
Length 171.1 cm (67.375 in.), Width 68.6 cm (27.0 in.), Height 105.4 cm (41.5 in.)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Location
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
Hangar
Boeing Aviation Hangar
National Air and Space Museum
Record ID
nasm_A19230029000
Metadata Usage (text)
Not determined
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9140ccba5-9e84-40da-8cf5-01117bfae307

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There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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