Summary

The Liberty engine was America's most important contribution to aeronautical technology during World War I. Jesse G. Vincent of Packard and Elbert J. Hall of Hall-Scott co-designed it in mid-1917 for the U.S. government, which wanted a standard design in 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-cylinder versions that could be quickly mass-produced to equip U.S. combat aircraft. Automakers Ford, Lincoln, Packard, Marmon, and Buick produced 20,748 Liberty 12s before the Armistice, which insured their widespread use into the 1920s and '30s.

This is one of the four Ford Motor Co. Liberty 12 Model A's that powered the Navy-Curtiss NC-4, the first aircraft to cross the Atlantic Ocean, May 16-31, 1919. The Model A also powered such aircraft as the de Havilland DH-4, Fokker T2, Loening Model 23, Douglas World Cruiser, Douglas M-1 Mailplane, and Curtiss H-16 flying boat.

Long Description

Ford Liberty 12 Model A

The Liberty engine was America's most important contribution to aeronautical technology during World War I. Jesse G. Vincent of Packard and Elbert J. Hall of Hall-Scott co-designed it in mid-1917 for the U.S. government, which wanted a standard design in 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-cylinder versions that could be quickly mass-produced to equip U.S. combat aircraft. Automakers Ford, Lincoln, Packard, Marmon, and Buick produced 20,748 Liberty 12s before the Armistice, which insured their widespread use into the 1920s and '30s.

This is one of the four Liberty 12 Model A's that powered the Navy-Curtiss NC-4, the first aircraft to cross the Atlantic Ocean, May 16-31, 1919. The Model A also powered such aircraft as the de Havilland DH-4, Fokker T2, Loening Model 23, Douglas World Cruiser, Douglas M-1 Mailplane, and Curtiss H-16 flying boat.

Transferred from the U.S. Navy, Bureau of Aeronautics

Type: reciprocating, 12 cylinders, V-type, liquid cooled

Power rating: 298 kW (400 hp) at 1,800 rpm

Displacement: 27 L (1,649 cu in)

Weight: 383 kg (844 lb)

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Co., Detroit, Mich.

A19230029000

Display Status

This object is on display in Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Boeing Aviation Hangar
Object Details
Date 1919 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Designer Elbert J. Hall
Jesse G. Vincent
Manufacturer Ford Motor Company
Physical Description Type: Reciprocating, V-type, 12 cylinders, water cooled Power rating: 298 kW (400 hp) at 1,800 rpm Displacement: 27 L (1,649 cu in.) Bore and Stroke: 127 mm (5 in.) x 178 mm (7 in.) Weight: 383 kg (844 lb) Dimensions Length 171.1 cm (67.375 in.), Width 68.6 cm (27.0 in.), Height 105.4 cm (41.5 in.)
Materials Metal
Inventory Number A19230029000 Credit Line Transferred from the U.S. Navy Department, Bureau of Aeronautics, Washington, D.C. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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