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Pierre Clerget was inspired by the Gnome to produce a supposedly improved rotary engine in 1911. It was a 7-cylinder, 11.88 liter (725 cu in) engine rated at 60 kW (80 hp) at 1,200 rpm. Thousands of these engines were manufactured in France and Britain. Larger 9-cylinder rotary engines began production in 1913. In the 1920s, Clerget transitioned to 4-stroke diesel engines, which initially had dimensions similar to the rotaries.

The Clerget 9A was built by Clerget, Blin, and Cie of Paris, France, with development beginning in 1928. On September 28, 1929, in a Morane 135 aircraft, it became the first diesel aircraft engine to fly in France. This engine was followed by the 149 kW (200 shp) 9B in 1930, the 186 kW (250 shp) 9Br (which was reversible in flight) in 1931, and the 224 kW (300 shp) 9C in 1932.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date Circa 1928 Country of Origin France Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Designer Clerget, Blin and Cie
 Manufacturer Panhard-Levassor
 Physical Description Type: Reciprocating, 9 cylinders, single row, radial, air cooled, diesel Power rating: 74.6 kW (100 hp) at 1,800 rpm Displacement: 16.3 L (992 cu in) Bore and Stroke: 160 mm (6.3 in.) x 160 mm (6.3 in.) Weight: 228 kg (503 lb) Dimensions Overall: 110.5 × 81.3 × 110.5cm (43 1/2 × 32 × 43 1/2 in.)
Storage: 139.7 × 116.8 × 129.5cm (55 × 46 × 51 in.)
 Materials Steel, Aluminum, Preservative coating, Brass
 Inventory Number A19721334000 Credit Line Gift of the Musee de L' Air Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Open Access (CCO)
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