Lawrance Aero Engine Company
Founded1917 (1917)
FounderCharles Lawrance
Defunct1923 (1923)
FateAcquired
SuccessorWright Aeronautical
Headquarters
New York, New York[1]
,
United States

Lawrance Aero Engine Company was an American aircraft engine manufacturer. Founded by engine pioneer Charles Lawrance, it designed one of the first successful air-cooled radial engines. It existed for only 5 years, being acquired by Wright Aeronautical, a much larger company better able to mass-produce Lawrance's radial engines.

History

The Lawrance Aero Engine Company was founded in 1917.[2] After the end of World War I, the Lawrance engineers worked with both the Army and the Navy in developing their L-1 into a nine-cylinder radial engine, which became the 200 hp Lawrance J-1. It was the best American air-cooled engine at the time, and passed its 50-hour test in 1922.[3]

The United States Navy was very enthusiastic about air-cooled radials, but was concerned that Lawrance couldn't produce enough engines for its needs. The Navy suggested to Wright that it purchase the Lawrance company and build the J-1 itself. In May 1923, Lawrance was purchased by Wright Aeronautical, with the J-1 being further developed by Wright into the J-5, J-6, and R-795.[4]

Products

Lawrance L-3
Model name Configuration Power
Lawrance A-3 O2 28 hp
Lawrance B R3 35 to 60 hp[5]
Lawrance C-2
Lawrance J-1 R9 200 hp
Lawrance J-2
Lawrance L-1 R3 60 hp[6]
Lawrance L-2 R3 50 hp[5]
Lawrance L-3 R3 65 hp[7]
Lawrance L-4 R3 65 hp[8]
Lawrance L-5
Lawrance N-2 30 hp[9]
Lawrance R-1 R9 150 hp[5]

References

Notes

  1. ^ "[Advertisement]". Aerial Age Weekly. 10 March 1919. p. 1365. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  2. ^ Gunston, p. 125
  3. ^ Janes Fighting Aircraft of World War I by Michael John Haddrick Taylor (Random House Group Ltd. 20 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 2SA, 2001, ISBN 1-85170-347-0), page 290
  4. ^ Gunston, p. 125, 244
  5. ^ a b c McCutcheon, Kimble D.; Huff, Randy. "The Genesis of American Air-Cooled Fixed Radials" (PDF). Aircraft Engine Historical Society. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  6. ^ "The Lawrance 60 H.P. Air Cooled Engine". Aerial Age Weekly. 17 March 1919. p. 58–60. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Lawrance L-3 Radial Engine". National Air and Space Museum. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  8. ^ "Lawrance L-4". New England Air Museum. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  9. ^ "Lawrance (US)". Aircraft Engine Historical Society. 21 October 2009. Retrieved 7 September 2021.

Bibliography

  • Gunston, Bill (2006). World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines, 5th Edition. Phoenix Mill, Gloucestershire, England, UK: Sutton Publishing Limited. p. 79. ISBN 0-7509-4479-X.
  • Smith, Herschel (1981). Aircraft Piston Engines. McGraw-Hill Inc. ISBN 0-07-058472-9.

External links

Wright and Lawrance aircraft engines
Categories