Radial vs. V Engines

[SectorNine50]

I was wondering if anyone know the pro's and con's between radial and V design engines.  I understood that radial engines tend to be more durable, and V-engines tended to be more fuel efficient.  Are these the only differences?

Also, what would be the appropriate title for the "V engines...?"  lol

[Motherland]

Also, what would be the appropriate title for the "V engines...?"  lol

Inline.

The two main advantages of radials, that I'm aware of, are durability, and the fact that they are air cooled. The first is self explanatory... for the latter, instead of having radiators and all the ducting that goes with them, which add weight and can be damaged, radials cool themselves mainly with their open 'face' I guess you could call it.

The biggest advantage of inlines that I'm aware of is aerodynamics. That and you can run a cannon through it (dunno if it would be possible with a radial but I've never seen it done).


I know I haven't hit on all the pro's and con's... but that's as far as I know. (or at least I think I know... )

[SectorNine50]

Inline... Duh...

I knew that... lol

[bj229r]

oil leaks vs coolant leaks....oil lasts longer

[Ponyace]

The advantages for inline are:
-streamlined shape
-easier to handle due to less torque

The cons:
-fewer horsepower than the radial
-easily damaged

The advantages for radial are:
-more horsepower
-very durable

The cons are:
-little harder to control due to the high torque
-less streamlined then the inline

But there are exceptions to this, such as the high power of the Sabre inline engine on the typhoon/tempest, or the low power of the Zeke's sakae radial engine

Basicly, its been an arguement for years which one was better, and pretty intresting which contry pick which.
Japanese=mainly radial (D4Y and Ki-61 are exceptions)
British=mainly inline
U.S.A.A.F.=mix of inline and radial, but only radials for bombers
U.S.N.=mainly radial
German=mixed
Russia=mixed

Hope this helps.

[Anaxogoras]

Don't forget that radials were far easier to service because of the accessibility of their components.

[HB555]

Reno Championship Air Races just wrapped up today.
Two P-51's (inline) held together and won the Gold. Strega and Dago Red. Design and weight beat the horsepower of the radials. This time.
Full result and lots of great pictures in the web site.

http://www.airrace.org/indexJS.php

[CAP1]

I was wondering if anyone know the pro's and con's between radial and V design engines.  I understood that radial engines tend to be more durable, and V-engines tended to be more fuel efficient.  Are these the only differences?

Also, what would be the appropriate title for the "V engines...?"  lol

radial engines are air cooled. much more rugged, and harder to damage in combat. good for long distance flights back then.

v engines require cooling systems, which can become quite complicated. more systems to damage. they allow for a more aerodynamic shape to the aircraft.

 in the long run, i think one is just as good as the other, as long as they're used in the right way
 

[SD67]

The Napier Sabre engine as used in our Tempest was actually a horizontally opposed H pattern engine, it was notoriously unreliable but unbelievably powerful.
These images from the Hawker Tempest Page. http://www.hawkertempest.se/engines.htm

[SectorNine50]

Did I read that correctly?  The Tempest has a Diesel engine?!

Design was initiated in 1935 based on an earlier study for a compression ignition diesel. British Air Ministry Initial Acceptance test were completed on 17 January 1938 rated at 1350 hp. This figure rose to 2050 hp by March. By June 1940 it had passed its Air Ministry 100-h type test on its first attempt at 2200 hp and 3700 rpm, making it the world īs first 2000 hp production engine.
By 31 May 1939 the Sabre was ready for its first flight in a Fairey Battle at RAF Station Northolt.

Which Tempest engine do we have in AH?

The VII series had 3055HP... And developed almost 4000HP in a test!!!

[SD67]

It runs on gas

[Krusty]

I think of the temp engine as a X design instead of an H or V shape.

The heads may be flat, but the rods on the pistons angle in at a "X" cross shape, I think

[Chalenge]

It was also so unreliable that it should be removed from the game.

[Hazzer]

 The X design was called the Vulture,and was  tested on the early Typhoon prototypes,the Vulture powered model having the name Tornado.This Engine was Unreliable,so much so that the Avro Manchester - the only design powered by the Vuture in service -lost more Aeroplanes to engine failure than to enemy action.

 I believe the Vulture was comprised of two RR Peregrines,welded together into the X form.

 The Avro Manchester became the highly successful Lancaster,when fitted with four RR Merlins.

 The RR Peregrine was the final development of the successful RR Kestrel,the Westland Whirlwind was it's sole user. 

[2bighorn]

The heads may be flat, but the rods on the pistons angle in at a "X" cross shape, I think

They don't. Sabre is a true H-type (2 x flat) with two crankshafts. RR Vulture (2 x V) would be an example of X configuration.