Bill Gunston takes a thorough look at the theory, history, development and application of piston aero engines, from those used by the Wright Brothers for their pioneering flights right up to the small engines fitted to micro lights today. Illustrated throughout, this classic aviation title is available in paperback for the first time.

"The frenzy of technological invention and improvement that accompanied each large-scale conflict during the twentieth century has been one of the most important factors in driving the spectacular scientific advances made during the last hundred years. The half-way point of the century saw the horrors of the first truly global battle--World War II. At that time the piston aero engine was at its zenith and the world's airforces were almost entirely propeller driven. It is a period that provides the most interesting study of these engines and the aircraft they powered because the rapid change to turbojets that occurred in the post-war era saw the demise of the piston engine on almost all types of military aircraft and large airliners. This book looks at the design and development of the most famous engines used by the combatants during this great air war. Each type is studied and evaluated in historical perspective and many famous aircraft are illustrated to demonstrate installation and differing usage. One Merlin makes a Spitfire, two a Mosquito, and four a Lancaster. Engines made in America, Russia, and Germany could boast the same versatility and are described here in detail." --Book jacket.

Allied Aircraft Piston Engines of World War II, now in its second edition, coalesces multiple aspects of war-driven aviation and its amazing technical accomplishments, leading to the allied victory during the second world war. Not by chance, the air battles that took place then defined much of the outcome of one of the bloodiest conflicts in modern history. Forward-thinking airplane design had to be developed quickly as the war raged on, and the engines that propelled them were indeed the focus of intense cutting-edge engineering efforts. Flying higher, faster, and taking the enemy down before they even noticed your presence became a matter of life or death for the allied forces. Allied Aircraft Piston Engines of World War II, Second Edition, addresses British- and American-developed engines. It looks at the piston engines in detail as they supported amazing wins both in the heat of the air battles, and on the ground supplying and giving cover to the troops. This new edition, fully revised by the original author, Graham White, offers new images and information, in addition to expanded specifications on the Rolls-Royce/ Packard Merlin and the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engines. Jay Leno, a known enthusiast, wrote the Foreword.

This is a record of more than 250 basic types of British aero engine built between 1909 and 1949. In some 900 variants, they powered 300 different types of aircraft both civil and military. This volume gives a cross-reference of all aircraft engine types, variants and the aircraft they powered.

The Russian aircraft industry has, over the years, produced a staggering number of aircraft, large and small, for civil and military purposes. These aircraft have been powered by an equally extraordinary number of engines, built in Russian factories to both native and foreign designs. This detailed study of the piston aero engines produced by Russian factories form the birth of flight to the present is a tour de force of historical research, which has used many resources and archives not previously known in the west. The book includes every piston engine built from an original Russian design or copied from a foreign design; from engines used in the first Russian flying machines to microlight engines still I production. Each is written with its history, specifications and details of use.

Using language understandable to those without an engineering background and avoiding complex mathematical formulae, Bill Gunston explains the differences between gas-turbine, jet, rocket, ramjet and helicopter turbo shaft aero engines and traces their histories from the early days through to today’s complex and powerful units as used in the latest wide-bodied airliners and high performance military jets.

The piston engines that powered Second World War fighters, the men who designed them, and the secret intelligence work carried out by both Britain and Germany would determine the outcome of the first global air war. Advanced jet engines may have been in development but every militarily significant air battle was fought by piston-engined fighters. Whoever designed the most powerful piston engines would win air superiority and with it the ability to dictate the course of the war as a whole. This is the never before told story of a high-tech race, hidden behind the closed doors of design offices and intelligence agencies, to create the war's best fighter engine. Using the fruits of extensive research in archives around the world together with the previously unpublished memoirs of fighter engine designers, author Calum E. Douglas tells the story of a desperate contest between the world's best engineers - the Secret Horsepower Race.

"Readers are brought from commercial air transport's very beginnings to the zenith of what is fondly referred to as flying in the "Golden Age of Air Transport," when jetliners were still on the drawing board or in early production, and still a dream to come for passengers and crew."--Provided by publisher.

The rotary aero engine has always fascinated aviation historians and enthusiasts. When the 50hp Gnome appeared in 1908, it was the most powerful engine for its weight available and was used by almost all the notable pioneers to set records for height, speed and endurance. Rotaries also played a key role in the First World War, powering many of the famous 'fighting scouts' such as the Sopwith Camel and Fokker Monoplane. In this book, Andrew Nahum gives an original and well-argued explanation, showing that rotary development was limited by a 'power ceiling' which was a basic consequence of design.

"In the 1930s, when gas turbines were practically unknown, engine designers worldwide struggled to create a new and more powerful generation of aircraft engines. It was hoped these engines would push aircraft to speeds of more than 500 miles per hour. One such engine, the Tornado, was a remarkable 42-cylinder liquid-cooled radial conceived by the Wright Aeronautical Corporation."--Page 4 of cover.