The Menasco Manufacturing Company was founded in 1926 by Al Menasco in Los Angeles; with its first product being a conversion of Salmson water cooled radial engines to air-cooled types. Menasco later became one of the U.S. pioneers in the field of inverted, in-line, air-cooled engines, which improved pilot visibility and propeller clearance. Menasco’s first engine of its own design was the early-1930 4-A Pirate. The Model B-4, certificated in November 1930, was the forerunner of a succession of similar more powerful engines built by Menasco. High-performance Menasco engines powered many successful 1930s racers such as the Ryan ST and Gee Bee Sportster aircraft.
During World War II, the company became the largest manufacturer of aircraft landing gears, even supplying that component for the Space Shuttle, and that became its main product after the war. In 1999 the company became part of Goodrich, now merged with United Technologies.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Circa 1930
United States of America
PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
Menasco Manufacturing Co.
Type: Reciprocating, 4 cylinders, inverted in-line type, air-cooled
Power rating: 71 kW (95 hp) at 2,000 rpm
Displacement: 5.34 L (326 cu in.)
Bore and Stroke: 114 mm (4.5 in.) x 130 mm (5.125 in.)
Weight: 133 kg (293 lb)
Length 115.6 cm (45.5 in.), Width 31.8 cm (12.5 in.), Height 71.8 cm (28.25 in.) (Dimensions for Menasco Model A-4)
HAZMAT: Cadmium Plating
Aluminum
Steel
Paint
Rubber
Fabric
Copper Alloy
A19360024000
Gift of Menasco Manufacturing Company
National Air and Space Museum
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