| Lorraine 12D | |
|---|---|
 A Lorraine 12D on display at theNational Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo, Japan | |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Lorraine-Dietrich |
| Designer | Marius Barbarou |
| Manufactured | 1917 (1917)–1925 (1925) |
TheLorraine 12D, also referred to asLorraine-Dietrich 12D, was a series of water-cooledV12 engines produced by the French companyLorraine-Dietrich. The first variant began production in 1917, and the engines were used to powerbombers for theFrench Navy duringWorld War I. The Lorraine 12Da variant was the most powerful French engine at the time. After the war, the engines were licensed and produced by the Italian firmIsotta Fraschini until 1925.
In 1916, French engineer Marius Barbarou began working a newV12 engine oriented at a 60-degree angle and a 120 mm (4.7 in) bore, to improve on the existing Lorraine-Dietrich 8B engine by adding twocylinders on each side. The Lorraine 12D was approved in January 1917 at 350 hp (260 kW).[1] Lorraine produced 50 of the 12D engines. In 1917, the Lorraine 12Da was produced with an increase to 400 hp (300 kW) and 400 units produced.[2] The Lorraine 12Da variant became the most powerful French airplane engine at the time ofWorld War I.[1] The more powerful design resulted in a heavierpowertrain due to addedradiators for cooling. The extra weight meant that the planes could operate for two hours on the available fuel supply. The engines continued to be used by the military, but were unsuitable for commercial use due to the limited travel range.[1]
The engines were mass produced at a factory inArgenteuil, to meet demands of theFrench Navy forbombers. At the time of thearmistice of 11 November 1918, Lorraine had hundreds of surplus engines which were later used in French Navy prototypes. New models were not developed during this time, and Lorraine halted production of the 12D engines in 1922.[1] In 1924 the Italian companyIsotta Fraschini bought the rights for the engine under the license of the 12Db, and later marketed the engine under its own company name, Isotta Fraschini 12Db until 1925.[3]
The Lorraine 12D had several variants produced which included:[2]
| Year | Model | Power | Design | Displacement | Production |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1916 | 12D | 370 hp (280 kW) | V12 at 60°, water cooled | 24.4L (1489 cu.in.) | 50 units |
| 1917 | 12Da | 400 hp (300 kW) | V12 at 60°, water cooled | 24.4L (1489 cu.in.) | 400 units |
| 1918 | 12Db | 400 hp (300 kW) | V12 at 60°, water cooled | 24.4L (1489 cu.in.) | 850 units |
| 1919 | 12Dc | 370 hp (280 kW) | V12, water cooled | 24.4L (1489 cu.in.) | 100 units |
The Lorraine 12D powered the firstGroupe Latécoère planes. The 12Da was mounted on theCAMS 37 prototype seaplane, and later used on the firstPotez planes. The successor 12Db engine was used mostly by theFarman Aviation Works, and theSociété Latham.[1] Isotta Fraschini 12Db used the Lorraine engines to power Italian aircraft including theMacchi M.7,Macchi M.24bis andCaproni Ca.73bis.[3]
Complete list of planes powered by the Lorraine 12D:[2]
12D
12Da
12Db
12Dc
Data from Les moteurs d'aviation Lorraine[2]
Media related toLorraine-Dietrich 12D at Wikimedia Commons
