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The Liberty's purpose was American mass production of standard engine units when the U.S. entered World War I. Co-designed in a week in mid-1917 by Jesse Vincent of Packard Motor Car and Elbert Hall of Hall-Scott Motor Car, with a planned series of 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-cylinder models, the Liberty used only proven components to ensure workable engines in the shortest time. The Model L-8 was the first Liberty engine. However, power requirements made it obsolete before entering service, leading to the twelve-cylinder Liberty.

The Liberty's success was due entirely to the fact that the best engineers, production experts, and manufacturing facilities were provided to the Government. Leading automotive manufacturers, including Ford, Lincoln, Packard, Marmon, and Buick, built the engines.

The Liberty 12 Model A powered numerous aircraft including the de Havilland DH-4, the Navy-Curtiss NC-4, Fokker T2, Loening Model 23, Douglas World Cruiser, Douglas M-1 Mailplane, and Curtiss H-16 flying boat.

 Display Status

This object is on display in America by Air at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

America by Air
Object Details
Date Circa World War I Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Designer Elbert J. Hall
Jesse G. Vincent
 Model Liberty
 Manufacturer Lincoln Motor Company
 Physical Description Type: Reciprocating, V-type, 12 cylinders, Liquid cooled Power rating: 298 kW (400 hp) at 1,800 rpm Displacement: 27 L (1649 cu in) Bore and Stroke: 127 mm (5 in) x 178 mm (7 in) Weight: 357 kg (786 lb) Dimensions 3-D: 171.1 × 68.6 × 105.4cm (5 ft. 7 3/8 in. × 2 ft. 3 in. × 3 ft. 5 1/2 in.)
3-D (overall, including stand): 175.3 × 83.8 × 143.5cm (5 ft. 9 in. × 2 ft. 9 in. × 4 ft. 8 1/2 in.)
 Materials Aluminum
Ferrous Alloy
Copper Alloy
Adhesive Tape
Rubber
Plastic
Metal Alloys
Paint
Solder
 Inventory Number A19850445000 Credit Line Found in collection. Donor unknown at this time. Found on NASM premises Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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