The BMW 139 was an experimental 14-cylinder two-row radial engine developed by BMW in 1935. The purpose of the engine was to power the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, however it only saw use in the prototype Focke-Wulf Fw-190 V1. It had a displacement of 55.4 L (3,380.4 cubic inches) and produced 1,529 horsepower. [1]

Design and Development

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In 1929, BMW acquired a license to produce the 9-cylinder Pratt & Whitney R-1690 Hornet as the BMW 114. From there the design underwent several improvements by the German maker, including direct fuel injection, an enhanced cylinder design, a higher compression ratio, a stronger crankshaft, and a new supercharger. This updated design would go into production as the BMW 132.[2]

The BMW 139 was an attempt to join two of these BMW 132 engines to produce a 14-cylinder engine for a ministerial competition to compete with a design by Siemens-Bramo. The BMW 139 won out over the design by Siemens-Bramo and served as the propulsion for the prototype Focke-Wulf Fw-190 V1.[3]

However, by the time the Fw 190 went into production, the Focke-Wulf's designers believed the BMW 139 was outdated, leading to a redesign dubbed the BMW 801. While the BMW 801 was heavier and longer, increasing the weight of the Fw 190 and requiring a larger wingspan, it had a slightly higher horsepower of 1,600 and more potential for growth.[1]

See also

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Related engines

Related Aircraft

References

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  1. ^ a b Swopes, Bryan (2024-06-01). "Bayerische Motoren Werke AG BMW 139 | This Day in Aviation". This Day in Aviation. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  2. ^ "BMW 132". BMW Classic (in German). Retrieved 2024-11-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ Theo. "BMW Part 1". www.aeroenginesaz.com. Retrieved 2024-11-07.