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Societe des Moteurs Le Rhone of Paris began manufacturing air cooled rotary engines in 1910. Its rotary was sufficiently different than that first developed by the highly successful Seguin brothers of the Societe des Moteurs Gnome, also of Paris, that it circumvented relevant Gnome patents; but was taken over by Gnome in 1914. Because Le Rhone products were in some ways superior to Gnome, its design engineers were permitted to continue development during World War I, resulting in large scale production of various nine cylinder engines.

The Model J is most famous for its connection to the Nieuport 17, the French fighter flown by aces Rene Fonck, William Bishop, Charles Nungesser, Albert Ball, and Georges Guynemer. The engine's success prompted the Germans to try to salvage and duplicate Le Rhones from downed French and British fighters. Many salvaged Le Rhones and their German-built copies saw service in such fighters as the Fokker Dr.1 Triplane.

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

1917

Country of Origin

France

Type

PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary

Designer

Le Rhone (France)

Manufacturer

Societe des Moteurs Gnome et Rhône

Physical Description

Type: Rotary, 9 cylinders, air-cooled
Power rating: 89 kw (120 hp) at 1,300 rpm
Displacement: 15.1 L (920 cu in.)
Bore and Stroke: 112 mm (4.41 in.) x 170 mm (6.69 in.)
Weight: 147 kg (323 lb)

Dimensions

Storage (Rehoused on a metal pallet and stand): 116.8 × 111.8 × 121.9cm, 222.3kg (3 ft. 10 in. × 3 ft. 8 in. × 4 ft., 490lb.)

Materials

HAZ MAT: Cadmium Plating
Steel
Copper Alloy
Cork
Plastic

Inventory Number

A19300002000

Credit Line

Transferred from the War Department, Washington, D.C.

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply
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