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During 1909 and 1910 Charles B. Kirkham made several successful aircraft engines based on his automobile motors. In 1911 he began to manufacture the above engine – his first designed especially for airplane use. It featured concentric valves, primarily to assist exhaust cooling. Kirkham claimed that this engine was “outstanding in light weight, low head resistance, and freedom from vibration.”

It powered the Aerial Exhibition Company’s biplane design, the Burgess Hydroplane Model F, the Kirkham tractor biplane design, and the Thomas Model TA.

 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 1911 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Designer Charles B. Kirkham
 Manufacturer Kirkham
 Physical Description Type: Reciprocating, in-line, 6 cylinders, water cooled Power rating: 40.6 kW (54.5 hp) at 1,300 rpm Displacement: 6.24 L (380.88 cu in.) Bore and Stroke: 105 mm (4.125 in.) x 121 mm (4.75 in.) Weight (wet): 106.6 kg (235 lb) Dimensions 3-D: 119.4 × 40.6 × 76.2cm, 106.6kg (47 × 16 × 30 in., 235lb.)
Support: 119.4 × 86.4 × 45.7cm (47 × 34 × 18 in.)
 Materials metal
 Inventory Number A19620052000 Credit Line Gift of G. N. Boyd Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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