| Studies on
aircraft engines at the Rolls–Royce company began in 1914,
following the British Admiralty’s order for a 200 hp
aircraft engine. The first type to enter series production
in 1915 was the Eagle I – a 12 cylinder water cooled engine,
fitted with two Claudel carburettors and reduction gear
allowing the propeller to spin at 1,024 RPM.
Continuous
upgrades of the basic design led to more powerful and
reliable versions into production (Eagle II, III, IV, V, VI,
VII, VIII). The last military version was the Eagle VIII,
rated at 360 hp at 1,800 RPM, fitted with four carburettors,
one per three cylinders.
After WWI,
studies for a high power engine for civil aviation began
which resulted in the Eagle IX engine fitted with two
Claudel–Hobson carburettors and four magnetos.
The
production at the Derby plant lasted from 1922 to 1928 and
totalled 373 engines. Amongst the craft powered with them
was the Dornier Do J II Wal flying boat.
This
example was photographed by SEAWINGS at the RAF Museum,
Hendon, London. |
