Lawrance Aero Engine Company
Encyclopedia
Lawrance Aero Engine Company was an American aircraft engine
manufacturer. Founded by engine pioneer Charles Lawrance, it designed one of the first successful air-cooled radial engines. It only existed for 5 years, being acquired by Wright Aeronautical
, a much larger company better able to mass produce Lawrance's radial engines.
. It was the best American air-cooled engine at the time, and passed its 50-hour test in 1922.
The United States Navy
was very enthusiastic about air-cooled radials, but was concerned that Lawrance couldn't produce enough engines for its needs. The Navy suggested to Wright that it purchase the Lawrance company and build the J-1 itself. In May 1923, Lawrance was purchased by Wright Aeronautical
, with the J-1 being further developed by Wright into the J-5
, J-6
, and R-795.
Aircraft engine
An aircraft engine is the component of the propulsion system for an aircraft that generates mechanical power. Aircraft engines are almost always either lightweight piston engines or gas turbines...
manufacturer. Founded by engine pioneer Charles Lawrance, it designed one of the first successful air-cooled radial engines. It only existed for 5 years, being acquired by Wright Aeronautical
Wright Aeronautical
Wright Aeronautical was an aircraft and aircraft engine manufacturer located in New Jersey.-History:This American company evolved from the 1909-1916 Wright Company, which merged with the Glenn L. Martin Company in 1916 to form the Wright-Martin Aircraft Corporation. Glenn Martin resigned from...
, a much larger company better able to mass produce Lawrance's radial engines.
History
The Lawrance Aero Engine Company was founded in 1917. After the end of World War I, the Lawrance engineers worked with both the Army and the Navy in developing their L-1 into a nine-cylinder radial engine, which became the 200 hp Lawrance J-1Lawrance J-1
The Lawrance J-1 was an engine developed by Charles Lanier Lawrance and used in American aircraft in the early 1920s. It was a 9-cylinder, air-cooled radial design.-Development:...
. It was the best American air-cooled engine at the time, and passed its 50-hour test in 1922.
The United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
was very enthusiastic about air-cooled radials, but was concerned that Lawrance couldn't produce enough engines for its needs. The Navy suggested to Wright that it purchase the Lawrance company and build the J-1 itself. In May 1923, Lawrance was purchased by Wright Aeronautical
Wright Aeronautical
Wright Aeronautical was an aircraft and aircraft engine manufacturer located in New Jersey.-History:This American company evolved from the 1909-1916 Wright Company, which merged with the Glenn L. Martin Company in 1916 to form the Wright-Martin Aircraft Corporation. Glenn Martin resigned from...
, with the J-1 being further developed by Wright into the J-5
Wright R-790
The Wright R-790 Whirlwind was a series of nine-cylinder air-cooled radial aircraft engines built by Wright Aeronautical Corporation, all of which had a displacement of about 790 in³ and around 200 hp...
, J-6
Wright R-540
|-See also:-Bibliography:. Available from the Aircraft Engine Historical Society's .. Available from the Aircraft Engine Historical Society's .. Available from the FAA's .. Available from the Aircraft Engine Historical Society's ....
, and R-795.
Products
- Lawrance A-2
- Lawrance C-2 1917
- Lawrance J-1Lawrance J-1The Lawrance J-1 was an engine developed by Charles Lanier Lawrance and used in American aircraft in the early 1920s. It was a 9-cylinder, air-cooled radial design.-Development:...
- Lawrance J-2
- Lawrance L-1
- Lawrance L-2
- Lawrance L-3Lawrance L-3-References:*This article contains material that originally came from the placard at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center....
- Lawrance L-4 aka Wright Gale
- Lawrance L-5
External links
- Wright J-5 "Whirlwind" (PDF), by Kimble D. McCutcheon, from the Aircraft Engine Historical Society