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This French engine powered the Santos-Dumont Airship No. 9 in 1903. It performed two tasks: propulsion and the operation of a belt driven blower to pressurize the airship's envelope. Although designed for the Clement Autocyclette motorcycle, it was easily converted to aeronautical use because of its light weight and adequate power.

Alberto Santos-Dumont, a wealthy Brazilian based in Paris, first became famous by flying his dirigible No. 6 around the Eiffel Tower in 1901 and, in 1906, made the first airplane flight in Europe. This artifact was of special interest because it had "connected with it the smallest motor which has ever been successfully applied to a dirigible balloon." From the accession file, it appears that Airship No. 9 was to be flown at an exhibition in St. Louis in 1904, but was vandalized and not flown again.

 Display Status

This object is on display in Early Flight at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

Early Flight
Object Details
Key Accomplishment(s) Powered Airship No. 9 Brief Description This French engine powered Airship No. 9, built by Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont, in 1903. It provided propulsion and the operation of a belt driven blower to pressurize the airship's envelope. Date 1903 Country of Origin France Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Manufacturer Clement, France
 Physical Description Type: Reciprocating, 2 cylinders, air-cooled Power rating: 2.237 kW (3 hp) at 1,000 rpm Displacement: 0.36 L (21.8 cu in) Bore and Stroke: 5.72cm (2.25 in.) x 6.99 cm (2.75 in.) Weight: 12.0 kg (26.4 lb) Dimensions Overall: 2 ft. 9 in. × 2 ft. 3 in. × 2 ft. 9 in. (83.8 × 68.6 × 83.8cm)
 Materials Aluminum alloys, iron alloys, copper alloys, wood, leather
 Alternate Name Clement V-2 Engine Inventory Number A19080001000 Credit Line Gift of Edward C. Boyce Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Open Access (CCO)
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