In his factory in Hammondsport, New York, aviation pioneer and inventor Glenn Curtiss designed, built and marketed some of the most successful early engines in the United States, with the earliest based on designs to power his racing motorcycles.

With the advent of World War I, Curtiss concentrated its production on the OX-5 engine which powered the Curtiss JN-4D “Jenny” trainer aircraft. After World War I, thousands of OX-5s and Jennies were sold to the public at a fraction of their original cost to the government. In addition, during the 1920s, Waco, Laird, Curtiss, Fairchild, Alexander, Travel Air, and many other firms, developed civil aircraft powered by the OX-5 engine.

The availability of a well-proven, inexpensive engine in such quantity was a mixed blessing -- it allowed many people to fly who could not afford a more expensive engine, but manufacturers of more modern power plants suffered.

 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 1910 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Designer Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company
 Manufacturer Willys-Morrow Company (Curtiss)
 Physical Description Type: Reciprocating, water-cooled, V-8 Power rating: 67 kW (90 hp) at 1,400 rpm Displacement: 8.3 L (502.8 cu in.) Bore and Stroke: 102 mm (4 in.) x 127 mm (5 in.) Weight: 175 kg (390 lb) Dimensions Length 144.1 cm (56.75 in.), Width 75.6 cm (29.75 in.), Height 93.3 cm (36.75 in.)
 Inventory Number A19660385000 Credit Line Transferred from the U.S. Navy. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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