The Lycoming O-1230 was a flat-twelve engine for aircraft designed and developed by Lycoming Engines in the 1930s. Although the engine was flown in an aircraft, it was not fitted to any aircraft selected for production. It later served as the basis for the Lycoming H-2470 engine.
In 1932, the engineers at Lycoming Engines became aware that the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) wanted a high performance engine that could produce at least one horsepower per cubic inch (46 kW/L) of engine displacement and that a contract had been made with Continental Motors, Inc., Lycoming's main rival in the general aviation engine market.[1] Lycoming's management wanted to be considered for development of the next generation engine, but no USAAC development contract was signed. Still determined to become known as a high performance engine manufacturer, Lycoming began an experimental, high-performance engine of its own. After spending US$500,000, and after many attempts to develop a successful engine, it finally came close to the USAAC specifications with the 1,200 hp (895 kW) O-1230 engine.
Lycoming's O-1230 engine design was a 12-cylinder liquid-cooled horizontally-opposed low-profile piston engine that could be mounted either horizontally, buried in the wing of a multi-engine aircraft; or vertically, in the fuselage of a single engine fighter. From 1935 the engine design proceeded at a faster pace after a number of former Continental engineers, who had become unhappy with the working conditions there, joined Lycoming.[2]
Vultee XA-19A with Lycoming O-1230 installed
The same year the USAAC became interested in the O-1230, and began supporting the engine development program. In 1936, the single-cylinder development tests exceeded expectations, passing its 50-hour test requirement. The full-size engine was ready for testing in 1937, and was rated at 1,000 hp.
The last Vultee A-19 that had been ordered by the USAAC was delivered as the XA-19A, fitted with an O-1230-1 offering 1200 hp. It first flew on May 22, 1940. This aircraft was subsequently re-engined with a Pratt & Whitney R-1830-51 and redesignated.
Continued development of the O-1230 reached its peak when the engine was rated at over 1200 hp. It was as powerful as the Allison V-1710, but with a narrower cowling than the Allison V12 engine. The O-1230 was not well received by aircraft manufacturers, because it was not very reliable at that power setting.[2]
White, Graham, Allied Aircraft Piston Engines of World War II, SAE International, 1995
Balzer, Gerald C., American Secret Pusher Fighters of World War II, Specialty Press. 2008
March 08, 2023
lycoming, 1230, flat, twelve, engine, aircraft, designed, developed, lycoming, engines, 1930s, although, engine, flown, aircraft, fitted, aircraft, selected, production, later, served, basis, lycoming, 2470, engine, 1230type, flat, enginenational, origin, unit. The Lycoming O 1230 was a flat twelve engine for aircraft designed and developed by Lycoming Engines in the 1930s Although the engine was flown in an aircraft it was not fitted to any aircraft selected for production It later served as the basis for the Lycoming H 2470 engine O 1230Type Flat engineNational origin United StatesManufacturer Lycoming EnginesMajor applications Vultee A 19 prototype engineProduced out of productionVariants Lycoming H 2470 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Applications 3 Specifications O 1230 1 3 1 General characteristics 3 2 Components 3 3 Performance 4 See also 5 ReferencesDesign and development EditIn 1932 the engineers at Lycoming Engines became aware that the United States Army Air Corps USAAC wanted a high performance engine that could produce at least one horsepower per cubic inch 46 kW L of engine displacement and that a contract had been made with Continental Motors Inc Lycoming s main rival in the general aviation engine market 1 Lycoming s management wanted to be considered for development of the next generation engine but no USAAC development contract was signed Still determined to become known as a high performance engine manufacturer Lycoming began an experimental high performance engine of its own After spending US 500 000 and after many attempts to develop a successful engine it finally came close to the USAAC specifications with the 1 200 hp 895 kW O 1230 engine Lycoming s O 1230 engine design was a 12 cylinder liquid cooled horizontally opposed low profile piston engine that could be mounted either horizontally buried in the wing of a multi engine aircraft or vertically in the fuselage of a single engine fighter From 1935 the engine design proceeded at a faster pace after a number of former Continental engineers who had become unhappy with the working conditions there joined Lycoming 2 Vultee XA 19A with Lycoming O 1230 installed The same year the USAAC became interested in the O 1230 and began supporting the engine development program In 1936 the single cylinder development tests exceeded expectations passing its 50 hour test requirement The full size engine was ready for testing in 1937 and was rated at 1 000 hp The last Vultee A 19 that had been ordered by the USAAC was delivered as the XA 19A fitted with an O 1230 1 offering 1200 hp It first flew on May 22 1940 This aircraft was subsequently re engined with a Pratt amp Whitney R 1830 51 and redesignated Continued development of the O 1230 reached its peak when the engine was rated at over 1200 hp It was as powerful as the Allison V 1710 but with a narrower cowling than the Allison V12 engine The O 1230 was not well received by aircraft manufacturers because it was not very reliable at that power setting 2 Applications EditVultee XA 19ASpecifications O 1230 1 EditData from White p 379 General characteristics Type 12 cylinder Geared liquid cooled horizontally opposed piston engine Bore 5 25 in 133 4 mm Stroke 4 75 in 120 7 mm Displacement 1233 9 in 20 219 L Dry weight 1342 lb 609 kg Components Valvetrain Overhead camshaft Cooling system Liquid Reduction gear 0 40 separate cylinders hemispheric cylinder head design one piece cylinder head for each bankPerformance Power output 1000 hp 3100 rpm 1200 hp 3400 rpm 1 275 hp 951 kW Specific power 1 03 hp in Power to weight ratio 95 hp lbSee also EditRelated lists List of aircraft enginesReferences Edit White p 379 a b White p 380 White Graham Allied Aircraft Piston Engines of World War II SAE International 1995 Balzer Gerald C American Secret Pusher Fighters of World War II Specialty Press 2008 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lycoming O 1230 amp oldid 1056215797, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
