Lycoming traces its beginning to a mid-nineteenth century sewing machine manufacturer. In 1907 that company was sold and restructured as the Lycoming Foundry and Machine Company, which produced automobile engines, and later was a subsidiary of the Auburn Auto Company. Although its early aircraft engines were radials, Lycoming entered the light-aircraft engine field early in 1938 with the introduction of the air-cooled, four-cylinder, horizontally opposed O-145 engine.
Along with Continental and Franklin, Lycoming was a basic provider of engines for the ubiquitous bright yellow Piper Cub, which sold for less than $2,000 and was synonymous with small general aviation aircraft for many years.
The O-480 was a high performance, air-cooled, six-cylinder, horizontally-opposed engine. It powered numerous general aviation aircraft, including the Aero Commander, Beech Twin Bonanza and Queen Air, and Helio Courier. This geared and supercharged model powered the Beech Seminole U8-D, Beech Twin Bonanza F-50, Dornier DO-27-H2, and Aeritalia AM-3C.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
February 11, 1959
United States of America
PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
Lycoming (Williamsport, Pennsylvania)
Type: Reciprocating, Horizontally-Opposed, 6 cylinders, Air-cooled, Geared, Supercharged
Power rating: 254 kW (340 hp) at 3,400 rpm
Displacement: 7.8 L (480 cu in.)
Bore and Stroke: 130 mm (5.1 in.) x 98 mm (3.9 in.)
Weight: 223 kg (492 lb)
Height 84.1 cm (33.1 in.), Width 84.1 cm (33.1 in.), Depth 125.2 cm (49.3 in.)
Steel
Aluminum
Copper Alloy
Anodized Aluminum
Rubber
Plastic
Cadmium Plating
Paint
Ceramic
Fiber Board
A19890019000
Transferred from the General Services Administration, Ft. Worth, Texas
National Air and Space Museum
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