Motori aeronautici a pistoni: libri illustrati di storia e guide

The Merlin: The Engine That Won the Second World War

The Rolls-Royce Merlin is one of the most famous aircraft engines in history. It powered key aircraft of World War II, including the Spitfire and Hurricane, which defended Britain during the Battle of Britain in 1940. It also powered the Lancaster and Halifax bombers on missions over Germany and the Mosquito, known for its precision bombing and reconnaissance.
For the United States, the Merlin was used in the P-51 Mustang, which escorted B-17 and B-29 bombers on daytime raids. The Mustang also saw action in North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Pacific. The engine played a crucial role in securing Allied victory.
The Merlin remains iconic, and its distinctive sound can still be heard over England today, notably during Battle of Britain Memorial Flight displays. It was most recently featured in the RAF's centenary celebrations, with a Lancaster leading Spitfires and Hurricanes in formation.
Retired pilot Gordon Wilson explores the development and wartime use of this engine, sharing accounts from aircrew who relied on it. His book provides insight into the engineering and human stories behind one of the most significant aircraft engines ever built.

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Powering the Luftwaffe - German Aero Engines of World War II

Aviation technology progressed by leaps and bounds during the late 1930s and early 1940s. Although much of this was due to advances in airframe design, much less appreciated is the role of aero engine development.

This book focuses on this aspect, particularly German piston aero engine design and development, which has been generally under researched and under published compared to Allied piston aero engines. It covers key piston aero engines such as those produced by Daimler-Benz, BMW, and Junkers, as well as less well appreciated engines such as those produced by Siemens, Argus, and Hirth.
It also covers turbojets and rockets, particularly the Junkers Jumo 004 and Walter 109-509 that powered the infamous Messerschmitt Me 262 and Me 163 jet and rocket fighters.
Finally, the book concludes with tables comparing Allied and German piston engines, a glossary of key terms, and a bibliography.

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Powering the World's Airliners : Engine Developments from the Propeller to the Jet Age

From the simple propellers of the first airliners of the 1920s and 1930s, to the turboprops and turbojets of the modern era, the engines used in airliners have undergone dramatic development over a century of remarkable change. These advances are examined in detail by aeronautical engineer and author Reiner Decher, who provides a layman's guide to the engines that have, and continue to, power the aircraft which carry millions of travellers across millions of miles each year.

Reiner Decher also looks at the development of aero engines during the Second World War and how that conflict drove innovation. He also explains the nature of wing design and how they provide lift and of the considerations of airflow over their surfaces, from the early days of the twentieth century to the present.

To enable an easy understanding of this intriguing subject, "Powering the World's Airliners" is profusely illustrated, transporting readers back to the time of each major development and introducing them to the key individuals of the aero industry in each era.
After reading this comprehensive yet engaging story of the machines that power the aircraft in which we fly, no journey will ever seem quite the same again.

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The Secret Horsepower Race - Western Front Fighter Engine Development

During the Second World War, the outcome of air battles depended on piston-engine fighters. Although jet engines were being developed, all major combat was still fought with piston-powered aircraft. The power and reliability of these engines were crucial to gaining air superiority.

This book explores the competition between Britain and Germany to build the most effective fighter engines. Success in this area meant control of the skies and a major advantage in the war. The story focuses on the work of engineers and intelligence services on both sides, whose efforts remained largely secret.

"The Secret Horsepower Race" by Calum E. Douglas is based on years of research in international archives and includes material from the unpublished memoirs of engine designers. It reveals how technical skill, innovation, and intelligence gathering shaped one of the most important aspects of the air war.

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Allied Aircraft Piston Engines of World War II

This book, now in its second edition, coalesces multiple aspects of war-driven aviation and its amazing technical accomplishments, leading to the allied victory during the second world war. Not by chance, the air battles that took place then defined much of the outcome of one of the bloodiest conflicts in modern history.
Forward-thinking airplane design had to be developed quickly as the war raged on, and the engines that propelled them were indeed the focus of intense cutting-edge engineering efforts. Flying higher, faster, and taking the enemy down before they even noticed your presence became a matter of life or death for the allied forces.

"Allied Aircraft Piston Engines of World War II, Second Edition", addresses British- and American-developed engines. It looks at the piston engines in detail as they supported amazing wins both in the heat of the air battles, and on the ground supplying and giving cover to the troops.
This new edition, fully revised by the original author, Graham White, offers new images and information, in addition to expanded specifications on the Rolls-Royce/ Packard Merlin and the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engines.

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Sunbeam Aero Engines

The Sunbeam Motor Car Company, the first major British aircraft engine manufacturer, entered the aviation industry in 1912. They were among the first to buy an aircraft for engine testing, flown by the renowned test pilot Jack Alcock.

During World War I, Sunbeam was a crucial supplier of engines and aircraft, especially to the Royal Naval Air Service. Sunbeam engines were the most powerful British engines of the time. They powered the first aircraft to torpedo an enemy ship, the only aircraft to fly at the Battle of Jutland, and the first seaplanes to operate in central Africa.

After the war, Sunbeam engines powered notable British airships like the R.34, the first aircraft to fly the Atlantic east to west and make a double crossing, and the R.33, the British dirigible with the most flight hours.

When Sunbeam returned to car manufacturing, their aero engines were used in land speed record-breaking cars, including the first to exceed 150 mph and 200 mph, ironically faster than any Sunbeam-powered aircraft.

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The Engines of Pratt & Whitney - A Technical History as Told by the Engineers Who Made the History

Describes the evolution from piston engines to gas turbines by the engineers who created those engines. Included are hundreds of archival photographs, as well as over a dozen tables listing specifications and applications. The story starts with the founding of the company in the 1920s to provide reliable air-cooled piston engines to the military and to help create coast-to-coast commercial flight service.
Pratt & Whitney quickly dominated commercial and military flight in the 1930s, ultimately providing half the horsepower of American engines during World War II.

Jack Connors explains how Pratt & Whitney came from behind the competition in developing gas turbines after the war with the debut of the J57, which powered the B-52 in 1952 and later the Air Force Century Series fighters (F-100, F-101, and F-102) and the Navy A-3D, F-4D, and F-8 airplanes.
Also covered is the development of the J58, which powered the Mach 3+ YF-12 and SR-71 aircraft and subsequent military engines; the F100 in the F-15 and F-16; the F119 in the F-22; and, the F135 in the F-35 series.Pratt & Whitney's contribution to the luxury commercial jet era travel is also detailed, with its JT3, JT3D, JT4, JT8D, JT9D, PW2000, PW4000, and PW6000 in Boeing, Douglas, and Airbus aircraft.

This history of Pratt & Whitney's role in the evolution of aircraft engines from 1925 to the present day offers young engineers a wealth of insights about design, development, marketing, and product support for commercial and military customers.

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Vee's for Victory! - The Story of the Allison V-1710 Aircraft Engine, 1929-1948

Over 60 percent of U.S. Army fighters during World War II were powered by the Allison V-1710 engine, including the P-38, P-39, the lightweight fighters XP-46A and XP-47, as well as the early P-51 Mustangs.
It was a strong and reliable power plant that powered the pre-war generation of 400 mph Army pursuits, and the majority of Army combat fighters on through World War II. Even so, the V-1710 was controversial and often maligned, considered by some to have been a "second-rate" engine. Author Whitney's objective was to find, and tell, the true story of the 70,000 V-1710's and the people who built them.

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Die PS-Schlacht des Zweiten Weltkriegs - Höher, schneller, weiter - Jägermotoren der Westfront

The Second World War was a global air war. The aircraft played a central role in all theaters of war and established itself as a decisive weapon.
Engine development was of crucial importance here. By the end of the war, aircraft engines were more sophisticated than ever before and at their peak performance.

This volume tells the exciting story of the development in the various design offices and of the people behind them in every detail, with countless graphics, design drawings, data sheets and original photos.
A must for every real aviation library!

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