The Sunbeam Nubian, also called the Sunbeam 155 hp, was a British 8-cylinder aero-engine that was first run in 1916.[1]
| Nubian | |
|---|---|
| Type | V-8, 90 degree, water-cooled, piston engine |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Sunbeam[1] |
| Designer | Louis Coatalen[1] |
| First run | 1916[1] |
| Major applications | Saunders T.1[1] |
| Produced | 1916-1917[1] |
| Number built | 36[1] |
Design and development edit
In March 1916 Louis Coatalen, the chief designer at Sunbeam, responded to the Admiralty's request for more powerful engines by designing the V-8 Nubian. The Nubian featured the twin overhead camshafts and four valves of his prewar engines for Grand Prix and TT racing cars. With a bore of 95 mm (4 in) and stroke of 135 mm (5 in) the Nubian displaced 7.685 L (469 cu in) and was rated at 155 hp (116 kW) with a reduction gear ratio of 0.615:1.[1]
The original engine was built with a 60 degree angle between cylinder banks but severe vibration problems forced Coatalen to redesign it with a 90 degree angle, emerging as the Nubian II. Intended to power the Supermarine AD Flying Boat the teething troubles of the Nubian forced Supermarine to use a 150 hp (112 kW) Hispano-Suiza V-8 engine instead.[1]
Deliveries of the Nubian II began in October 1917, by which time the Nubian was overshadowed by the more powerful V-8s from Hispano-Suiza and the 200 hp (149 kW) Sunbeam Arab. The only aircraft known to have been powered by a Nubian was the Saunders T.1, but some of the 36 engines built, of 50 ordered, are believed to have been supplied to the Imperial Russian Air Service.[1]
The Nubian suffered from a poor design decision at first and was overtaken by events which prevented widespread use, but its cousin, the V-12 Sunbeam Afridi and its family members found greater success.[1]
Variants edit
- Sunbeam Nubian
- The initial V-8 engine with 60 degree V and rated at 155 hp (116 kW).
- Sunbeam Nubian II
- Redesigned with 90 degree cylinder angle to alleviate severe vibration problems, the Nubian II was late in delivery and was not widely used.
Applications edit
- Saunders T.1
- Blackburn GP - handed left and right[2]
Specifications (Nubian II) edit
Data from Sunbeam Aero-Engines[1]
General characteristics
- Type: V-8 90 degree V, water-cooled piston engine
- Bore: 95 mm (4 in)
- Stroke: 135 mm (5 in)
- Displacement: 7.685 L (469 cu in)
- Length: 1,052 mm (41 in)
- Height: 765 mm (30 in)
- Dry weight: 310 kg (683 lb)
- Designer: Louis Coatalen
Components
- Valvetrain: Twin direct overhead camshaft, two exhaust and two inlet valves per cylinder
- Fuel system: gravity fed
- Fuel type: Petrol
- Oil system: Dry sump, pressure fed
- Cooling system: Water-cooled by radiator
- Reduction gear: 0.615:1
Performance
- Power output: 115.6 kW (155 hp)
See also edit
Comparable engines
Related lists
References edit
Bibliography edit
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing.
- Lumsden, Alec. British Piston Engines and their Aircraft. Marlborough, Wiltshire: Airlife Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-85310-294-6.
- Brew, Alec (1998). Sunbeam Aero-engines. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-84037-023-8.
- Jackson, A.J. Blackburn Aircraft since 1909 (1st ed.). London: Naval Institute Press. pp. 106–109. ISBN 0-87021-024-6.