Lawrance J-1
Encyclopedia
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.
of New York City produced the crude opposed twins that powered the Penguin trainers, and the Lawrance L-1 60 hp Y-type radial.
After the end of World War I, the Lawrance engineers worked with both the Army and the Navy in developing their L-1 onto a nine-cylinder radial engine, which became the 200 hp Model J-1. It was the best American air-cooled engine at the time and passed its 50-hour test in 1922.
The U.S. Navy badly needed light, reliable engines for its carrierborne aircraft. As a means of pressuring Wright and other companies into developing radial engines, it gave a contract to Lawrance for 200 of the J-1 radial and ceased buying the liquid-cooled Wright-Hispano
engines. At the urging of the Army and Navy the Wright Aeronautical Corporation bought the Lawrance Company, and subsequent engines were known as Wright radials. The Wright Whirlwind
had essentially the same lower end (crankcase, cam, and crankshaft) as the J-1.
in Windsor Locks, Connecticut
, has a Lawrance J-1 on display.
Charles Lanier Lawrance
Charles Lanier Lawrance was an American aeronautical engineer and an early proponent of air-cooled aircraft engines. He founded the Lawrance Aero Engine Company in 1917. He designed the Lawrance J-1 air-cooled aircraft engine, the direct ancestor of the extremely successful Wright Whirlwind series...
and used in American aircraft in the early 1920s. It was a 9-cylinder, air-cooled radial design.
Development
During World War I the Lawrance Aero Engine CompanyLawrance Aero Engine Company
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...
of New York City produced the crude opposed twins that powered the Penguin trainers, and the Lawrance L-1 60 hp Y-type radial.
After the end of World War I, the Lawrance engineers worked with both the Army and the Navy in developing their L-1 onto a nine-cylinder radial engine, which became the 200 hp Model J-1. It was the best American air-cooled engine at the time and passed its 50-hour test in 1922.
The U.S. Navy badly needed light, reliable engines for its carrierborne aircraft. As a means of pressuring Wright and other companies into developing radial engines, it gave a contract to Lawrance for 200 of the J-1 radial and ceased buying the liquid-cooled Wright-Hispano
Hispano-Suiza 8
The Hispano-Suiza 8 was a water-cooled V8 SOHC aero engine introduced by Hispano-Suiza in 1914 and used by a number of Allied aircraft during the First World War...
engines. At the urging of the Army and Navy the Wright Aeronautical Corporation bought the Lawrance Company, and subsequent engines were known as Wright radials. The Wright Whirlwind
Wright Whirlwind
The Wright R-975 Whirlwind was a series of nine-cylinder air-cooled radial aircraft engines built by the Wright Aeronautical division of Curtiss-Wright. These engines had a displacement of about 975 in³ and power ratings of 300-450 hp...
had essentially the same lower end (crankcase, cam, and crankshaft) as the J-1.
Applications
- Dayton-Wright XPS-1
- Naval Aircraft Factory N2NNaval Aircraft Factory N2N-See also:...
- Naval Aircraft Factory TS-1
- Huff-Daland TA-2Huff-Daland TA-2The Huff-Daland TA-2 was an American biplane trainer designed by the Huff-Daland Aero Corporation in the early 1920s for the United States Army Air Service. It was a development of the HD.4 Midget with a 140 hp ABC Wasp radial engine. Three prototypes were ordered for evaluation at McCook Field...
trainer prototype - one example only re-engined - Huff-Daland TA-5 trainer prototype
- Huff-Daland TA-6Huff-Daland TW-5The Huff-Daland Type XV Training Water-Cooled TW-5 was a biplane trainer designed by the Huff-Daland Aero Corporation in the early 1920s for the United States Army Air Service.-Design and development:...
trainer prototype - Huff-Daland HN-2Huff-Daland TW-5The Huff-Daland Type XV Training Water-Cooled TW-5 was a biplane trainer designed by the Huff-Daland Aero Corporation in the early 1920s for the United States Army Air Service.-Design and development:...
naval trainer
Engines on display
The New England Air MuseumNew England Air Museum
The New England Air Museum is located at Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, Connecticut, USA. The museum is housed in three large display buildings consisting of more than of exhibit space...
in Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, has a Lawrance J-1 on display.
Specifications (J-1)
External links
- Wright J-5 "Whirlwind" (PDF), by Kimble D. McCutcheon, from the Aircraft Engine Historical Society (AEHS).
- Part 2 of "Air-Cooled Aircraft Engine Cylinders", by George Genevro, also from AEHS.