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C.H. Willis, Henry Ford’s Chief Engineer, who also led the DePalma Manufacturing Company, worked with famous inventor and General Motors executive Charles F. Kettering to develop this engine under an Army contract for the Kettering Bug, a flying bomb. This predecessor for later cruise missiles used a two-cycle engine because of its high power-to-weight ratio, simplicity of construction, and low cost. With twice the explosions, a two-cycle engine can produce higher power than a four-cycle engine, but does not throttle well, which was not important for this application.

The Bug was to cost about $575 in large quantities, and have a range of fifty miles. Development of the aircraft was begun in 1918; but did not go into production because of largely unsuccessful flight tests in 1918 and 1919. The engine also powered Dayton-Wright aircraft such as the T-4 Messenger, another prototype aircraft that lost favor following World War I.

 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 1918 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Manufacturer DePalma Manufacturing Company (Detroit, Michigan)
 Physical Description Type: Reciprocating, 4 cylinders, V-type, air cooled Power rating: 28-37 kW (38-50 hp) Displacement: Unknown Bore and Stroke: Unknown Weight: Unknown Dimensions Depth 71.1 cm (28 in.), Length 87.6 cm (34.5 in.), Width 101.6 cm (40 in.)
 Materials Steel, Paint, Aluminum, Preservative coating
 Inventory Number A19340009000 Credit Line Transferred from the War Department, Air Corps, Materiel Division, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Open Access (CCO)
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