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Packard 1A-2775 X-24 Engine, Circa 1927. Creator: Packard Motor Car Company
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Packard 1A-2775 X-24 Engine, Circa 1927. Creator: Packard Motor Car Company
The Packard Motor Car Company produced the worlds first quantity-production 12-cylinder automobile in in 1916, and belief in that engine carried over to aviation in the following year. Development of the Packard X, basically two Model 1500s sharing one crank-shaft, began about 1920. A few years later, under a Navy contract, Packard built two 1A-2775 engines. The first was test flown for the 1927 Schneider Trophy race by Al Williams in a Kirkham racer, but did not compete. Williams later set an unofficial speed record of 515 kilometers (322 miles) per hour in the racer in 1927. For the 1929 Schneider Trophy race, Williams modified the racer into a monoplane, which was designated the Mercury Racer. The aircraft was too heavy, so a second, more powerful engine was prepared. Super-charged and rated at 1, 119 kW (1, 500) horsepower, it was the most powerful aircraft engine in the world. However, the Navy withdrew its support, and the airplane did not race
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Media ID 23877531
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This print showcases the groundbreaking Packard 1A-2775 X-24 Engine, a true marvel of engineering from the year 1927. Created by the renowned Packard Motor Car Company, this engine represents their transition into aviation after successfully producing the world's first mass-produced 12-cylinder automobile in 1916. The development of the Packard X began around 1920, with two Model 1500 engines sharing one crankshaft. Under a Navy contract, Packard constructed two remarkable 1A-2775 engines. The first engine was test flown for the prestigious Schneider Trophy race in 1927 by Al Williams in a Kirkham racer but unfortunately did not compete. Nonetheless, Williams achieved an astonishing unofficial speed record of 515 kilometers (322 miles) per hour in this very aircraft. For the subsequent Schneider Trophy race in 1929, Williams modified his racer into a monoplane known as the Mercury Racer. However, due to excessive weight issues with this aircraft, a second and more powerful engine had to be prepared. This super-charged engine boasted an incredible rating of 1,119 kW (1,500 horsepower), making it unrivaled as the most potent aircraft engine worldwide at that time. Regrettably, despite its immense potential and power, unforeseen circumstances led to withdrawal of Navy support for this extraordinary airplane project. Consequently, the Mercury Racer never had its chance to shine on racing grounds. Nevertheless, this print immortalizes an era when innovation and ambition pushed boundaries beyond imagination - forever reminding us of what could have been achieved if fate had taken another turn.
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