Aero Engine - Alvis Leonides, 500 Series, England, Great Britain, circa 1950

Search the collections

Summary:: Best known for their range of high quality motor cars, Alvis Limited in Coventry began work on aero engines in 1935 developing the Pelides and Leonides radial engines. The nine-cylinder, single-row Leonides was first run in December 1936 and was subsequently tested by Airspeed Ltd in their Bristol Bulldog. Development work was delayed by the Second World War as these engines were intended for civil use. The Series 500 Leonides was manufactured from 1947 and was fitted to aircraft including the Percival Prince, the Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer and the Bristol Sycamore helicopter. Production ceased in 1966.

This 500 Series Leonides engine was donated to the Museum in 1973 by the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
Acquisition Information:: Donation from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), 1973

Discipline:

Technology

Tagged with:	aero engines, internal combustion engines, rotary wing aircraft components
Themes this item is part of:	Engineering Collection, Transport Collection
Primary Classification:	AIR TRANSPORT
Secondary Classification:	Aero Engines
Tertiary Classification:	reciprocating helicopter engines
Manufacturer:	Alvis, England, Great Britain, circa 1950