Curtiss V-4, V-12 Engine
date: label: Date
content: Circa 1915
name: label: Manufacturer
content: Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company
notes: label: Physical Description
content: Type: Reciprocating, V-type, 12 cylinders, water-cooled
label: Physical Description
content: Power rating: 224 kW (300 hp) at 1,400 rpm
label: Physical Description
content: Displacement: 27 L (1,649 cu in.)
label: Physical Description
content: Bore and Stroke: 127 mm (5 in.) x 178 mm (7 in.)
label: Physical Description
content: Weight: 493 kg (1,086 lb)
label: Summary
content: Toward the end of 1915, Curtiss conducted a design study for a large aircraft engine of 224 kW (300 hp) or more. The objective was a power plant for large seaplanes, such as the British Naval Air Forces used in patrolling the North Sea for enemy submarines. The quickest way to develop such an engine was thought to be through enlarging the 8-cylinder Curtiss VX engine into a 12-cylinder version. The first 12-cylinder Curtiss engine was designated V-4.
label: Summary
content: Although this engine eventually developed about 298 kW (400 hp), it was not produced because a successful rival, the Liberty, was lighter and had the same power. Only one V-4 was made. It powered a hydro-plane speed boat, "Miss Miami," which at one time held a world speed record of 106 km/hr (66 mph).
place: label: Country of Origin
content: United States of America
setName: label: See more items in
content: National Air and Space Museum Collection
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Purchased from Roosevelt Field, Inc.
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Air and Space Museum
identifier: label: Inventory Number
content: A19500097000
objectType: label: Type
content: PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
objectRights: label: Restrictions & Rights
content: CC0
physicalDescription: label: Materials
content: Steel, Aluminum, Preservative coating, Rubber, Plastic, Copper, Brass, Textile
label: Dimensions
content: Approximate (Weight on stand): 681.3kg (1502lb.)
label: Dimensions
content: Other: 53 x 96 x 38in. (134.6 x 243.8 x 96.5cm)
label: Dimensions
content: Approximate: 132.08 x 243.84 x 95.89cm (4ft 4in. x 8ft x 3ft 1 3/4in.)