Liberty L-4
Created in 1917, the Liberty L-4 was a four-cylinder water-cooled inline aircraft engine developed in the United States during World War I. The Liberty L-4 was an experimental engine of 102 hp (76 kW), which was built by the Hudson Motor Car Company and primarily intended for use in training airplanes. Only two examples were produced, since other types of engines were available and already in production. While the engine was ground-tested, it is unknown if the L-4 was ever test-flown. The L-4 was created as part of a US aircraft engine development effort which also created the six-cylinder Liberty L-6, eight-cylinder Liberty L-8 and twelve-cylinder Liberty L-12.
| Liberty L-4 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Liberty L-4 aircraft engine | |
| Type | Piston aero engine |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Hudson Motor Car Company |
| Designer | Jesse G. Vincent and Elbert J. Hall |
| First run | 1917 |
| Number built | 2 |
| Variants | Liberty L-6, Liberty L-8, Liberty L-12 |
Specifications
General characteristics
- Type: Four-cylinder inline piston engine
- Bore: 5 in. (127mm)
- Stroke: 7 in. (177.8mm)
- Displacement: 549.8 cuin (9.0 L)
Components
- Cooling system: Water-cooled
Performance
- Power output: 102 hp (76 kW)
References
This article incorporates text from Liberty L-4, a public domain work of the United States Government.
- Gunston, Bill (1986). World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Wellingborough: Patrick Stephens. p. 106.