COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: France

DESCRIPTION: 9 Cylinder, Single valve Rotary

POWER: 100 Hp

BORE: 140 mm

STROKE: 150 mm

SPEED: 1200 rpm

WEIGHT: 150 Kg

FUEL CONSUPMTION: 10 gallons/hour

OIL CONSUMPTION: 16 pints/hour

HISTORY: Gnome built their first Rotary engines in 1908, The model on display is a 9 cylinder, 100 Hp version, built during the first World War. Most WW1 aircraft were powered by rotaries. This type of engine powered such types as the Avro 504K, Bristol Scout D and Nieuport 28C, 1.

The rotary engine is unique in that the engine rotates with the propellor about the crankshart, which remains stationary, and is bolted to the airframe. Lubrication was achieved by adding as much as 25 to 35% of oil to the fuel mixture, since the oil had to be able to be dissolved within the fuel, vegatable (usually castor oil) was used. One result of this was that the head reach cylinder spewed fire and oil, necessitating the use of a cowling. Another consequence was that World War 1 pilots learned to have excellent bowel control.

Monosoupapes had no throttle, and control of engine speed was achieved by "blipping", turning the engine on and off, which accounts for the unique sound of a WW1 plane landing.