The Delta was a 12-cylinder inverted-V

aircraft engine An aircraft engine, often referred to as an aero engine, is the power component of an aircraft propulsion system. Aircraft using power components are referred to as powered flight. Most aircraft engines are either piston engines or gas turbin ...

built by

Isotta Fraschini Isotta Fraschini () is an Italian luxury car manufacturer, also producing trucks, as well as engines for marine and aviation use. Founded in Milan, Italy, in 1900 by Cesare Isotta and the brothers Vincenzo, Antonio, and Oreste Fraschini, in 195 ...

prior to and during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

.Gunston 1989, p.82.

Design and development

The Delta is a fairly rare example of a large air-cooled inline engine, which normally have cooling problems with the rearmost cylinders. It produced about 750 hp in common versions, although others were rated up to 900 hp. The Delta was not widely used, although it could be found on a number of production aircraft and some advanced prototypes. The engine included a number of otherwise advanced features. For instance, the valves were powered by dual overhead cams driven by power shafts at the rear of the engine. Exhaust ports were arranged to exit toward the middle of the engine, one cylinder bank being the mirror of the other, allowing the piping to be ganged below the engine nacelle.

Variants

; Delta R.C.20/55 ID-IS ; Delta R.C.21/60 ; Delta R.C.35 ; Delta R.C.35 I ; Delta R.C.35 IS ; Delta R.C.40 IS ; Delta R.C.40 ID-IS ; Delta R.C.48 ; Delta III R.C.40 ; Delta IV R.C.17/50

Applications

Ambrosini SAI.107 The Ambrosini SAI.207 was a light fighter interceptor and developed in Italy during World War II. Developed from the pre-war SAI.7 racing aircraft it was built entirely from wood, Powered by a single 750 hp Isotta Fraschini Delta, the SAI ...

Ambrosini SAI.207 The Ambrosini SAI.207 was a light fighter interceptor and developed in Italy during World War II. Developed from the pre-war Ambrosini S.7, SAI.7 racing aircraft it was built entirely from wood, Powered by a single 750 hp Isotta Fraschini ...

prototype *

Ambrosini SAI.403 The Ambrosini SAI.403 ''Dardo'' ("Dart") was a light fighter aircraft built in Italy during World War II. Design and development SAI.403 Dardo was a considerably refined version of the SAI.207, designed during the delays in that type's developm ...

prototype *

CANT Z.515 The CANT Z.515 was a twin engine monoplane floatplane designed and built for maritime reconnaissance in Italy at the start of World War II. It did not go into service. Design and development The Z.515 (Z denoting a Zappata design) was the resu ...

* Caproni Ca.313 * Caproni Ca.314 * Caproni Ca.331 * Caudron C.714 (C.760) prototype *

Henschel Hs 129 The Henschel Hs 129 was a ground-attack aircraft designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Henschel Flugzeugwerke AG. Fielded by the ''Luftwaffe'' during the Second World War, it saw combat in Tunisia and on the Eastern Front. ...

prototype * Reggiane Re.2001 prototype * Savoia-Marchetti SM.86

Specifications (Delta RC35-IDS)

F11 Museum - Stockholm Skavsta - P1300085

References

Bibliography

*Gunston, Bill. ''World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines''. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. *''Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II''. London. Studio Editions Ltd, 1989. * Wilkinson, Paul H. ''Aircraft engines of the World 1945''. New York, Paul H. Wilkinson, 1945. {{Isotta Fraschini aeroengines

Delta Delta commonly refers to: * Delta (letter) (Δ or δ), the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet * D (NATO phonetic alphabet: "Delta"), the fourth letter in the Latin alphabet * River delta, at a river mouth * Delta Air Lines, a major US carrier ...