This World War I engine, built by Germany’s Maybach, was of the type that powered the Zeppelin, Schutte-Lanz, and Parseval airships or airplanes such as the Rumpler C4 and C5. Without measurements of the artifact it is not possible to determine if it was the water-cooled, six-cylinder, in-line design rated at 149 kW (200 shp) that powered the airships, or the derivative of this engine, known as the 224 kW (300 shp) Maybach, that powered the airplanes.
The artifact is heavily damaged. It is probable that it was removed from a downed airship for technical analysis. This engine was part of a collection of foreign power plants that was assembled by the U.S. Army Air Corps, Materiel Division at McCook Field in Dayton, Ohio
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
Circa 1916-1917
Country of Origin
Germany
Type
PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
Manufacturer
Maybach Motorenbau G.m.b.H. (Friedrichshafen a/Bodensee, Germany)
Physical Description
Type: Reciprocating, 6 cylinders, in-Line, water cooled
Power rating: 149 kW (200 hp) at 1,200 rpm
Displacement: 20 L (1,228 cu in.)
Bore and Stroke: 150 mm (5.9 in.) x 190 mm (7.5 in.)
Weight: 450 kg (990 lb)
Dimensions
Engine height on stand 114.3 cm (45 in.)
Materials
Steel, Aluminum, Textile, Paint, Rubber, Brass, Wood, Preservative Coating
Inventory Number
A19340004000
Credit Line
Transferred from the War Department, Air Corps, Materiel Division, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Open Access (CCO)
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