enginehistory.org

[jalmeter]

I am a brand new member and this is my first post.

Looking for information on the SPECO XB4070 diesel. This was a radical axial / barrel / crankless engine that was actually built in the 1940s by a company called SPECO that was based in Springfield, Ohio.

The original requirement was for 2,000 hp at 2,000 lb and the engine came close to meeting this. Any technical information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Been through the SPECO archives in Springfield, US National Archives and the Smithsonian archives.

I have 2/3 of the 1947 SAE Paper by T. S. Sherman on the engine, "Slant Mechanisum -..." and would love to get hold the of the last third that I am missing. I have a full copy of the 1947 SAE article "Light Weight, Small Size ..." also on this engine.

The first generation of the engine is in storage at the Smithsonian. I don't know what happened to the last two engines that comprised the second generation.


Yours truly,

John Almeter

[bwoollard]

Hi John,

I hope you're still active with this old post; I've only just joined myself, so I can respond, primarily, although I was a onetime AEHS magazine subscriber back in the day.

I too, have been interested in the SPECO diesel aircraft engine, and although I can't offer much in return, I was hoping to get a lead on that SAE paper you mention - SAE have no record of such a paper, although it is described as a paper presented on 6 June 1947 in their Journals of that year.

- Would you mind sharing the lead where you found the paper?

I assume you have already accessed the Clark County Historical Society archives, as you mention Springfield......that is where most of my information has been sourced from.

Other than that, I hope 2020 finds you well, and I look forward to hearing from you......

Regards,

Brian Woollard
Swan Hill VIC 3585
Australia

[dpennings]

fourtunally Google finds some Information:

https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/speco-xb-4070-2-diesel-9-barrel-engine/nasm_A19710890000

A Diesel engine with rotating cylinders sounds quite troublesome to me...