Beginning around 1922, J.F. Irwin’s Irwin Aircraft Company of Watsonville, California designed and provided blueprints for small, single seat sport aircraft which were supposedly simple enough for enthusiastic amateurs to build. In 1925, it introduced its Meteormotor. In 1926, it was improved by using copper instead of iron for cylinder cooling fins. Although classified as a radial, it was actually two opposed twins at ninety degrees to each other. This engine powered the Irwin M-T-2 and C-C-1 aircraft.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
ca. 1926
United States of America
PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
Irwin Aircraft Company (Watsonville, California)
Type: Reciprocating, radial, 4 cylinders, x-configuration; 2-stroke cycle, air-cooled
Power rating: 14.9 kW (20 hp) at 2,000 rpm
Displacement: 1.18 L (72 cu. in.)
Bore and Stroke: 73 mm (2.875 in.) x 70 mm (2.75 in.)
Weight: 27 kg (60 lb)
Depth 101.6 cm (40 in.), Length 82.6 cm (32.5 in.), Width 65.4 cm (25.75 in.)
Steel, Aluminum, Rubber, Copper, Paint, Ceramic, Brass
A19571001000
Gift of Preston Kirk
National Air and Space Museum
Open Access (CCO)
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