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Marc Birkigt, an inventor of Swiss origin, developed Hispano-Suiza (meaning Spanish-Swiss) engines, and first manufactured them in Barcelona for use in automobiles. Hisso engines were very successful and, to save weight, featured innovative cast-aluminum cylinder construction with internal water passages and screwed-in steel sleeves. Particularly to meet demand in World War I required licensing of Hisso aircraft engine manufacturing in France, England and the U.S by Wright-Martin, later the Wright Aeronautical Corporation.

Hispano-Suiza introduced its 12Y series of engines in 1932. The 12 cylinders were arranged in a V at 60 degrees and all models had propeller reduction gears with provision to fire a cannon through the hub, with the cannon mounted on the V. Centrifugal superchargers mounted at the rear of the engine delivered air to six carburetors, with three attached to the outside of each block. This type of engine powered the Latecoere 298, Morane-Saulnier 406, and Arsenal VG-31 and VG-33.

 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 1932 Country of Origin France Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Designer La Société Hispano-Suiza
 Manufacturer La Société Hispano-Suiza
 Physical Description Type: Reciprocating, 12 cylinders, V-type, Fuel injected, Supercharged, Liquid-cooled Power rating: 641 kW (860 hp) at 2,400 rpm Displacement: 36 L (2,196 cu in.) Bore and Stroke: 150 mm (5.9 in.) x 170 mm (6.7 in.) Weight: 459.9 kg (1,014 lb) Dimensions Height 76.5 cm (30.1 in.), Width 93.5 cm (36.8 in.), 172.2 cm (67.8 in.)
 Materials Aluminum, Steel, Paint, Rubber, Phenolic, Wood, Textile
 Inventory Number A19710900000 Credit Line Transferred from the U.S. Navy Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Open Access (CCO)
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