Daimler-Benz DB 601

Daimler-Benz DB 601
The Daimler-Benz DB 601 was a German aircraft engine built during World War II. It was a liquid-cooled inverted V12, and powered the Messerschmitt Bf 109, Messerschmitt Bf 110, and many others. Approximately 19,000 601's were produced before it was replaced by the improved Daimler-Benz DB 605 in 1942.
The DB 601 was basically an improved DB 600 with direct fuel injection. Fuel injection required power to be taken off the drive shaft, but in return, improved low-RPM performance significantly and provided aerobatic performance in maneuvers where early versions of carburated engines like the British Rolls-Royce Merlin would lose power when the carburetor float bowl ran dry.
The 601's fuel injection provided a significant boost in performance which its competitor, the Junkers Jumo 210, did not match for some time. By the time the fuel-injected 211 arrived, the 601 had already cemented its place as the engine for high-performance designs like fighters, high-speed bombers, and similar roles. The 211 would be relegated to bombers and transport aircraft. In this respect, the 601 was the counterpart to the Merlin engine of roughly the same size and power.
The DB 601Aa was licence-built in Japan by Aichi as the Atsuta, by Kawasaki as the Ha40, and in Italy by Alfa Romeo as the R.A.1000 R.C.41-I Monsone.
Development
Based on the guidelines laid down by the German "Reichverkehrsministerium" (Reich Ministry of Transport), in 1930 Daimler-Benz began development of a new aero engine of the displacement class: a liquid-cooled inverted-vee 12-cylinder piston engine. This was designated F4, and by 1931 two prototypes were running on the test bench. These were followed by the improved F4B, which became the prototype for the DB 600.
In 1933, Daimler-Benz finally received a contract to develop its new engine and to build six examples of the DB 600. For the year after, the DB 600 was the only German aero engine in the 30-litre class. In total, 2,281 DB 600s were built.
The DB 601A-1 was a development of the DB 600 with mechanical direct fuel injection. Like all DB 601s, it had a 33.9 litre displacement. The first DB 601A-1 prototype, designated as F4E, was test run in 1935, and an order for 150 engines was placed in February 1937.
Serial production began in November 1937, and ended in 1943, after 19,000 examples of all types were produced.
Variants
DB 601 A-1
Up to at sea level with 2,400 rpm, up to at 2,400 rpm and altitude, B4 fuel
DB 601 Aa
Up to at sea level with 2,500 rpm, up to at 2,400 rpm and altitude, B4 fuel
DB 601 B-1Same as DB601 A-1 for use in Messerschmitt Bf 110 and/or bomber aircraft (different prop/engine ratio, 1:1.88 instead of 1:1.55)
DB 601 BaSimilar to Aa for use in Messerschmitt Bf 110 and/or bomber aircraft (different prop/engine ratio, 1:1.88 instead of 1:1.55)
DB 601 M
For use in the Heinkel He 100D
DB 601 N
Up to at sea level and at altitude with 2,600 rpm, C3 fuel
Up to at altitude with 2,600 rpm
DB 601 P
Same as DB 601 N for use in Messerschmitt Bf 110 and/or bomber aircraft (different prop/engine ratio, 1:1.88 instead of 1:1.55)
DB 601 E
Up to at sea level with 2,700 rpm, up to with 2.700 rpm at altitude, B4 fuel
Up to at altitude with 2,700 rpm
DB 601 F/G
Same as DB 601 E for use in Messerschmitt Bf 110, Messerschmitt Me 210 and/or bomber aircraft (different prop/engine ratio,1:1.875 (601F), 1:2.06 (601G) instead of 1:1.685)
DB 606 A/B
Project initiated in February 1937, to "twin-up" two DB 601As or Es coupled to work on a single propeller shaft with all-up weight of some 1.5 tonnes; for use in Heinkel He 119 (one DB 606) and Messerschmitt Me 261 (twin DB 606) designs, where they worked well in their prototype airframes; saw first combat use with early Heinkel He 177As - 2,700 PS (1,986 kW) at sea level with a mirror-imaged starboard component engine supercharger. Derided as "welded-together engines" by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring in August 1942, from the problems they caused with engine fires in the He 177A during service from their inadequate installation design.
Alfa-Romeo R.A.1000 R.C.41-I MonsoneLicence built by Alfa Romeo in Italy
Aichi AtsutaLicence built by Aichi in Japan
Kawasaki Ha40Licence built by Kawasaki in Japan
Applications
DB 601
Arado Ar 240
CANSA FC.20
Dornier Do 215
Heinkel He 100
Henschel Hs 130A-0
Kawasaki Ki-60
Messerschmitt Bf 109
Messerschmitt Bf 110
Messerschmitt Me 210
Savoia-Marchetti SM.88
DB 606
Heinkel He 119
Heinkel He 177A-1 and A-3
Junkers Ju 288C
Messerschmitt Me 261
Licensees
Aichi Atsuta
Aichi M6A
Yokosuka D4Y
Alfa Romeo R.A.1000 R.C.41
Macchi C.202
Reggiane Re.2001
Kawasaki Ha40
Kawasaki Ki-61
Specifications (DB 601 Aa / Ba)
See also
References
Bibliography
Mankau, Heinz and Peter Petrick. Messerschmitt Bf 110, Me 210, Me 410. Raumfahrt, Germany: Aviatic Verlag, 2001. .
Neil Gregor Daimler-Benz in the Third Reich. Yale University Press, 1998
External links
Daimler-Benz Aircraft Engines
Aviation History.com, DB 600 series page
Kurfürst - Resource on Messerschmitt Bf 109 performance.
(1940) Betriebs und Wartungsvorschrift zum Mercedes-Benz Flugmotor DB 601 A u. B - 1940 dated operation and maintenance manual for the Daimler-Benz DB 601A and DB 601B aircraft engines
DB 606 "power system" CAD-based animation of crankcase/conrod/piston components
Daimler-Benz aircraft engines
1930s aircraft piston engines
Inverted V12 aircraft engines