Piston Engines

Subject: Piston Engines 2008-11-26, 12:56

Hi everyone,

Can anyone recommend a good book on aircraft piston engines? I fancy getting a book on them for my dad for Christmas, but there seems to be more titles on the subject than i expected. Preferably a book that goes into detail about the development as well as listing different makes/models and the aircraft they were used in.

Many thanks in advance.

Location : Rotherham, South Yorkshire

I can recommend "Development of Piston Aero Engines" by the great Bill Gunston (PSL, 2nd ed 1999, ISBN 978-1-85260-619-0). The first section describes the principles of how engines work, the second is a history of how engines developed. There is no list of engines/aircraft, but the second section does describe certain key powerplants. The book is quite technical in places (particular the first part), but Gunston has a great knack of describing technical issues in a clear and interesting way. He has also done a similar book on turbine engines.

Subject: Re: Piston Engines 2008-11-27, 15:45

You could also contact the libraries of the Science Museum in London and the RAF Museum at Hendon for advice.

A good bookshop with a vast range of aviation titles is Motorbooks, off Charing Cross Road in London.

Location : EGNO->50 miles

Hi, you could try & obtain some by this deceased author,

Setright, L. J. K. (1975). Some Unusual Engines, Mechanical Engineering Publications. ISBN 0-85298-208-9.
Setright, L. J. K. (1971). The Power to Fly: The Development of the Piston Engine in Aviation, Allen & Unwin. ISBN 0043380417.

real gems if you can find one, start looking now for Dad's present for next year.
hope this helps.

Location : EGNO->50 miles

Hi again,
just for a taster, although it's not a book format, take a visit to this Danish
gentlemans web site, move to library & drool over all the engines there.

www.stobbe.dk

I know it won't help with the shopping list, but it's an excellent reference!