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Curtiss Chieftain H-1640, Radial 12 Engine, ca. 1928. Creator
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Curtiss Chieftain H-1640, Radial 12 Engine, ca. 1928. Creator
Among the most successful early engines marketed in the United States were those designed and built by aviation pioneer and inventor Glenn Curtiss of Hammondsport, New York. Early Curtiss engines were designed to power motorcycles. In 1904 a two-cylinder, V-type motorcycle engine, believed to be the first Curtiss aircraft engine, was modified to power Capt. Thomas S. Baldwins California Arrow, a small dirigible. In 1926, Curtiss began the design of a 12-cylinder, two-row engine, the H-1640, that it hoped would surpass the performance of Pratt & Whitneys Wasp engine while having a considerably smaller frontal area. It had cylinders of the second row directly behind those of the first row, and the valves were operated by an overhead camshaft for each pair of cylinders. The H-1640 was certificated on September 13, 1928. The H-1640 powered the Curtiss P-11, Thomas-Morse XP-13, and Curtiss XP-14 aircraft. However, partly because of its extremely small diameter, this engine was not very successful
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EDITORS COMMENTS
The Curtiss Chieftain H-1640, Radial 12 Engine, ca. 1928, captured in this photo print, represents the ingenuity and ambition of aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss. Designed and built by the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company of Hammondsport, New York, this engine was among the most successful early engines in the United States. Originally designed to power motorcycles, Curtiss engines quickly found their way into aircraft as well. In fact, it is believed that a modified two-cylinder V-type motorcycle engine became the first-ever Curtiss aircraft engine when it powered Capt. Thomas S. Baldwin's California Arrow dirigible in 1904. In 1926, Glenn Curtiss embarked on designing a groundbreaking engine that would outperform its competitors while maintaining a smaller frontal area. The result was the H-1640 - a remarkable 12-cylinder, two-row engine with an innovative overhead camshaft system for valve operation. Certificated on September 13th, 1928, the H-1640 went on to power various aircraft models including the Curtiss P-11 and Thomas-Morse XP-13. However impressive its design may have been though; its extremely small diameter hindered its success in practical applications. This print serves as a testament to Glenn Curtiss' relentless pursuit of innovation and his significant contributions to early aviation technology. It stands as a reminder that even though not all endeavors achieve commercial success immediately or directly impact industries at large; they still hold immense historical value for enthusiasts and scholars alike.
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