For about twenty years beginning in 1908, the French firm Anzani, originally a motorcycle engine manufacturer, was prominent in the aircraft engine field. In July 1909, a three-cylinder Anzani engine powered Louis Bleriot's aircraft between England and France across the English Channel. Many Anzani engines were used during World War I and, after the War, the company concentrated on power plants for light sport planes. U.S. aircraft manufacturers using Anzani engines included Arrow, Driggs, Heath, Lincoln, Nicholas-Beazeley, Sikorsky, Ford, and Wasp.

During 1927 and 1928, Henry Lowe Brownback of Norristown, Pennsylvania cooperated with Anzani in engineering and sales distribution in the U.S. of engines resembling the French Anzanis, but having changes including a higher compression ratio. They ranged from a two-cylinder 11.2 kW (15 hp) engine to a 20-cylinder 447 kW (600 hp) model. Among these engines was this Anzani-Brownback 2-row radial engine built in 1928, which powered the Cessna Models A and AA aircraft.

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 1928 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Designer Anzani
Anzani-Brownback (Norristown, Pennsylvania)
Manufacturer Anzani-Brownback (Norristown, Pennsylvania)
Physical Description Type: Reciprocating, 10 cylinders, 2-rows, radial, air-cooled Power rating: 89.5 kW (120 hp) at 1,600 rpm Displacement: 12.1 L (738.1 cu in.) Bore and Stroke: 105 mm (4.13 in.) x 140 mm (5.51 in.) Weight: 154 kg (340 lb) Dimensions 3-D: 110.5 × 110.5 × 83.8cm, 154.2kg (3 ft. 7 1/2 in. × 3 ft. 7 1/2 in. × 2 ft. 9 in., 340lb.)
Materials Ferrous Alloy
Non-Magnetic White Metal
Rubber
Ceramic
Inventory Number A19380029000 Credit Line Gift of Henry Lowe Brownback Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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