In 1930, Continental began development of air-cooled horizontally opposed engines for low-powered aircraft. For example, the Continental A-40 made the classic Piper Cub possible. In 1980, Continental began evaluation of the liquid-cooled concept for future general aviation aircraft, and, in 1984, the engine was chosen for the Voyager aircraft.
The advanced design incorporated a lightweight, liquid-cooled cylinder, permitting combustion chamber improvements and minimizing fuel consumption by reducing cooling drag and wear characteristics, as well as providing longer life and time-between-overhaul. The design also allowed the high altitude capability necessary for the Voyager aircraft.
The exhibited Voyager-200 engine is an exact duplicate of the rear engine installed in the aircraft. The fuel efficiency of this power plant was one of the key elements that made Voyager's nonstop, unrefueled round-the-world flight possible. Except for a 4-minute interval near the end of the flight when the fuel flow was interrupted, the engine ran continuously during Voyager's 9-day flight in late-1986.
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
1987
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
Designer
Continental, Inc.
Manufacturer
Teledyne Continental Motors (Mobile, Alabama)
Physical Description
Type: Reciprocating, Horizontally-opposed, 4-cylinders, liquid-cooled, horizontally-opposed, fuel-injected
Power rating: 82 kW (110 hp) at 2,750 rpm
Displacement: 3.28 L (201 cu in)
Bore and Stroke: 103.2 mm (4.0625 in) x 98.4 mm (3.875 in)
Weight (dry): 97.1 kg (214 lb)
Dimensions
3-D: 83.8 × 76.2 × 55.9cm (2 ft. 9 in. × 2 ft. 6 in. × 1 ft. 10 in.)
Storage (Aluminum pallet storage): 121.9 × 121.9 × 139.7cm, 244.5kg (4 ft. × 4 ft. × 4 ft. 7 in., 539lb.)
Materials
Aluminum
Steel
Coating
Copper Alloy
Textile
Plastic
Rubber
Nickel
Inventory Number
A19870381000
Credit Line
Gift of Teledyne Continental Motors
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Open Access (CCO)
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