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THE NAPIER LION W12: A massive aero engine design manufactured by Napier from 1917 until the late 1930s. The engine incorporates a unique design with three separate banks of four cylinder engines offset at 60 degrees from one another offering an overall displacement of twenty four (24) litres. Each four cylinder DOHC block is interconnected to the one common crankshaft and each crankshaft main bearing has three connecting rods. Various power outputs are claimed ranging from 336~671kW, (450~900bhp). The engine powered many aircraft including the Supermarine S.5 Schneider Cup winner. Interestingly it was the compact nature (frontal area) of the engine and the incredible power output which guaranteed the engine would be used in many non aeronautical applications including Speed Boats and Racing Cars. The engine was used in many configurations including turbo charging, intercooled turbo charging, supercharging, dual engines (both supercharged) and an inverted W12 configuration to improve driver visibility. My records of the Napier Lion are related to a magnificent Base Mounted Napier Lion W12 Aero Engine admirably displayed at Brooklands by Andy Lloyd, John Cobb's record holding Napier-Railton and the Napier-Bentley owned and driven by Chris Williams. All three 'engines' were started and idled together for the first time in nominally seventy years at the Brooklands Double 12 of 2011, I was fortunate to witness the event and my records follow:
THE NAPIER LION W12 AERO ENGINE:
THE 1933 NAPIER-RAILTON: Designed by Reid Railton, following a commission by John Cobb, this car holds the outright lap speed at Brooklands of 230.84kmh (143.44mph) which was achieved by John Cobb in 1935. The car was used to break a total of forty seven (47) world speed records throughout the years 1933~1937, at Brooklands, Montlhery and the Bonneville Salt Flats. The Napier Lion engine fitted to the Napier-Railton is claimed to produce over 500bhp @ 2,200rpm driving through a three speed gearbox with a claimed maximum speed of 270kmh. The braking department is somewhat light on with rear brakes only and the suspension is leaf spring type. The car body is constructed from aluminium alloy. The car is now owned by the Brooklands Museum, in full working order and it is regularly displayed at the Museum and at Goodwood.
THE NAPIER-BENTLEY: A unique car originally built in 1968 by David Llewellyn, the Napier Lion W12 engine was originally fitted into a Sunbeam Chassis and subsequently rebuilt onto the chassis of a 1929 Bentley. The car has been owned and maintained by Chris Williams since 1999.
THE NAPIER-RAILTON AND NAPIER BENTLEY:
MORE BROOKLANDS COVERAGE: Please continue my 'Brooklands coverage' by selecting from the following pages...
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I LOVE NEW TECHNOLOGY, TABLETS, LAPTOPS, DIGITAL CAMERAS, MOBILE PHONES/WIRELESS BROADBAND, GPS, ETC. ALL SO COOL AND 'PORTABLE'......
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