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Isotta Fraschini Delta

{{Infobox Aircraft Begin

|name= Delta

|image = Isotta Fraschini Delta RC131.jpg

|caption = Preserved Delta RC131

}}

{{Infobox Aircraft Engine

|type= V-12 piston engine

|national origin =

|manufacturer= Isotta Fraschini

|first run=1927

|major applications=

|number built = c.3,300

|program cost =

|unit cost =

|developed from =

|developed into =

|variants with their own articles =

}}

The Delta was a 12-cylinder inverted-V aircraft engine built by Isotta Fraschini prior to and during World War II.Gunston 1989, p.82.

Design and development

The Delta is a fairly rare example of a large air-cooled inline engine, which normally have cooling problems with the rearmost cylinders. It produced about 750 hp in common versions, although others were rated up to 900 hp. The Delta was not widely used, although it could be found on a number of production aircraft and some advanced prototypes.

The engine included a number of otherwise advanced features. For instance, the valves were powered by dual overhead cams driven by power shafts at the rear of the engine. Exhaust ports were arranged to exit toward the middle of the engine, one cylinder bank being the mirror of the other, allowing the piping to be ganged below the engine nacelle.

Variants

; Delta R.C.20/55 ID-IS

; Delta R.C.21/60

; Delta R.C.35

; Delta R.C.35 I

; Delta R.C.35 IS

; Delta R.C.40 IS

; Delta R.C.40 ID-IS

; Delta R.C.48

; Delta III R.C.40

; Delta IV R.C.17/50

Applications

File:CANT z515-i.jpg floatplane]]

Specifications (Delta RC35-IDS)

File:F11 Museum - Stockholm Skavsta - P1300085.JPG

{{pistonspecs|

|ref=Aircraft engines of the World.Wilkinson 1945, p. 286.

|type=12-cylinder air-cooled 60 degree inverted vee

|bore={{convert|132|mm|in|abbr=on}}

|stroke={{convert|160|mm|in|abbr=on}}

|displacement={{convert|26.7|L|cuin|abbr=on}}

|length= {{convert|2000|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

|width= {{convert|840|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

|height= {{convert|883|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

|weight=510 kg (1,124 lb)

|valvetrain= Two poppet valves per cylinder, sodium cooled exhaust valves, double overhead camshafts

|supercharger=Single-stage, single-speed centrifugal type supercharger, gear ratio 9.8:1

|fuelsystem=Four Isotta Fraschini downdraft carburetors

|fueltype=80/87 octane petrol (aviation gasoline)

|oilsystem=Dry sump, double scavenge pump, single pressure pump

|coolingsystem=Air-cooled

|power=

  • :*{{convert|770|hp|kW|abbr=on|order=flip}} at 2,600 rpm (take off)

    :*{{convert|750|hp|kW|abbr=on|order=flip}} at 2,600 rpm at {{convert|4000|m|ft|abbr=on|}}

    |specpower=21.5 kW/L (0.47 hp/in³)

    |compression=6.4:1

    |fuelcon=

    |specfuelcon= 270 grams/hp*hour maximum, 250 grams/hp*hour cruise (70%)

    |oilcon=

    |power/weight=1.1 kW/kg (0.68 hp/lb)

    |reduction_gear= Ratio 0.64:1

    }}

    • See also

    {{aircontent

    |see also=

    |related=

    |similar aircraft=

    |lists=

    |similar engines=

    }}

    References

    {{Commons category}}

    {{reflist}}

    =Bibliography=

    {{refbegin}}

    • Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. {{ISBN|1-85260-163-9}}
    • Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London. Studio Editions Ltd, 1989. {{ISBN|0-517-67964-7}}
    • Wilkinson, Paul H. Aircraft engines of the World 1945. New York, Paul H. Wilkinson, 1945.

    {{refend}}

    {{Isotta Fraschini aeroengines}}

    Delta

    Category:Aircraft air-cooled V piston engines

    Category:1920s aircraft piston engines

    Category:Inverted V12 aircraft engines