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Societe des Moteurs Le Rhone of Paris began manufacturing air cooled rotary engines in 1910. Its rotary was sufficiently different than that first developed by the highly successful Seguin brothers of the Societe des Moteurs Gnome, also of Paris, that it circumvented relevant Gnome patents; but was taken over by Gnome in 1914. Because Le Rhone products were in some ways superior to Gnome, its design engineers were permitted to continue development during World War I, resulting in large scale production of various nine cylinder engines.

During the World War I era, this engine was also produced in the United States by the Union Switch and Signal Company. Used mainly on fighter aircraft where speed and maneuverability were especially important, rotary engines were light and compact for their power. The Le Rhone Model 9C was used on Nieuport, Ruchonnet, Hanriot, Bleriot-SPAD, Morane, Sopwith, Farman, Caudron, and Voisin I aircraft.

Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.

Object Details
Date Circa World War I Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Designer Le Rhone (France)
Distributor Societe des Moteurs Gnome et Rhône
Manufacturer Union Switch and Signal Company (Swissvale, Pennsylvania)
Physical Description Type: Rotary, 9 cylinders, air-cooled Power rating: 60 kw (80hp) at 1,200rpm Displacement: 10.9 L (664.29 cu. in.) Bore and Stroke: 105 mm (4.13 in) x 140 mm (5.51 in) Weight: 115 kg (253 lb) Dimensions 3-D: 109 × 97cm (42 15/16 × 38 3/16 in.)
Materials Metal
Inventory Number A19790541000 Credit Line Exchange with Cole Palen Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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