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Aviation History
1939
1939 - 1646.PDF
MAY 25, 1939 ^ @fffi? 545 FROM MARK I Another Chapter in Blackburn History —The Cirrus Engine Side : New Major 150 Described Halford's part was played in connection with the engine. At that time the Aircraft Disposal Co., of Waddon, Croydon, was produc ing the 120 h.p. Airdisco engine, which was in turn one of Major Halford's modifications of the 80 h.p. Renault engine. Capt. De Havilland suggested to Major Halford that it should be pos sible to provide a moderately powerful engine unit for his Moth by using four of the Airdisco's cylinders and various other components to make a reliable, if somewhat heavy, engine. The result was that in 1925 the Air craft Disposal Co. produced the first of a long series of Cirrus engines, designed specifically for use in aircraft of the private-owner and club type. That engine developed 65 b.h.p. at 2,000 r.p.m. for a weight of 260 lb. The fol lowing year saw the introduction of the Cirrus Mark II, which was a logical im- In 1925 the Cirrus Mark I made its bow to the public, producing a proud 65 b.h.p. at 2,000 r.p.m. for a total weight of 260 lb. DURING the early 'twenties one of the chief topics of aeronautical con versation concerned the question of air craft suitable for the private owner and for the clubs. In the main, light aero planes—light in every sense of the word, with small 30 h.p. engines—were accepted as the coming thing, but, in spite of popular opinion, Capt. Geoffrey De Havilland, in consultation with Major F. B. Halford, decided to break away from the accepted ideal of 1924 by desiguing a comparatively heavy and robust light aircraft in the form of the De Havilland Moth. Major F. B. provement on its predecessor. By in creasing the bore by 5 mm. and making other modifications, particularly in con nection with the cylinder heads and the crankshaft, the performance was in creased to 84 b.h.p. at 2,000 r.p.m.. TO MAJOR 150 The latest Cirrus Major 150—des- scribed in the following pages— has been designed with an eye to low maintenance costs. Although weighing only 325 lb., the new engine de velops 150 b.h.p. at 2,450 r.p.m. Fea tures include a crankcase cover in dependent of main bearings, an inertia starter, provision for a generator, and automatic ignition timing control.
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