The Liberty's purpose was American mass production of standard 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, this Model L-8 was the first Liberty engine. However, power requirements made it obsolete before entering service, and the twelve-cylinder Liberty was then built.
To ensure workable engines in the shortest time, only proven components were used. 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 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
United States of America
Type
PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
Designer
Elbert J. Hall
Jesse G. Vincent
Manufacturer
Packard Motor Car Company (Detroit, Michigan)
Physical Description
Type: Reciprocating, 8 cylinders, liquid cooled, dual ignition, V-type
Power rating: 216 kW (290 hp) at 1,700 rpm
Displacement: 18 L (1,649 cu in.)
Bore and Stroke: 127mm (5 in.) x 178 mm (7 in.)
Weight: 261 kg (575 lb)
Dimensions
3-D: 134.6 × 68.6 × 94cm, 260.8kg (4 ft. 5 in. × 2 ft. 3 in. × 3 ft. 1 in., 575lb.)
Support: 50.8 × 69.9 × 48.3cm (1 ft. 8 in. × 2 ft. 3 1/2 in. × 1 ft. 7 in.)
Materials
Metal
Inventory Number
A19270008000
Credit Line
Transferred from U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Standards, Washington, D.C.
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Open Access (CCO)
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