Hispano Suiza V8

[Vixen]

Is anyone interested in building a detailed scale model of the legendary Hispano Suiza V8 engine?






Some years ago, I seriously considered building a detailed scale model of this engine. I did a lot of research and found several manufactures handbooks (copies) for the Wolseley Viper W4A and W4B, which were license built versions of the famous Hispano Suiza engines. These include the Maintenance Handbook, an illustrated Parts Catalog, dimensioned Installation Drawings and detailed Cross Section Drawings.

There should be enough information here for a dedicated builder to prepare their own drawings (at his or her chosen scale) and sufficient detail to create an exact or stand off scale replica.

I know I no longer have the time left to draw and build this engine, so instead, I am happy to make this collection of handbooks etc, freely available to any MEM forum member with the ability to take this engine project forward to completion.

Any takers?

Mike

[RReid]

Hello Mike.

The Hisso is one that is on my list of project candidates as well. I've collected such photos and line drawings as I've been able to find online, and done some initial work on developing a set of drawings, including working out how I might manage simulating the "Monobloc" casting with machined parts. The materials you are so generously offering would of course be a great help if I choose to move forward with this project, but I haven't made that decision yet, and we live far apart. So if anyone on that side of the water is interested I would be happy to allow them first dibs; if not then you may consider me a possible taker.

[Vixen]

Hello Ron,

Sounds like you would be a prefect recipient for the collection, if you were to decide to move forward with the project. You have made a great start on the drawings already, they were not the work of five minutes.

A quick check shows that the British Royal Mail postal service would charge about £15 to deliver a 0.75Kg large A4 size envelope to a USA address, 6 day service. Don't think that would break your bank.

Cheers

Mike

[RReid]

Don't think that would break your bank.

No, it certainly would not. I'll be away for much of today, but can PM you later this afternoon or evening (if your next-door neighbor doesn't show interest in the meantime  )

[Roger B]

Not in my range, but I always thought Hispano Suiza was such a lovely name, much like the Minerva Land Rovers   

[Vixen]

Not in my range, but I always thought Hispano Suiza was such a lovely name, much like the Minerva Land Rovers   

Hello Roger,
Hispano-Suiza was not only a lovely name but their luxury cars also carried what was probably the most elegant hood ornament ever made. The ornament, above the radiator cap, was in the form of a stork, the symbol of the French province of Alsace.




Beautiful, but little consideration given to pedestrian safety

Mike

[Art K]

Mike,
It would be tempting if a Cord 810-812 Lycoming V8 wasn't already on my bucket list.
Art

[Zephyrin]

not many of us buy a car for the radiator cap these days...

famous artists of the “art deco” era created many of these mascot caps, which are much sought-after and copied today.
 

[ddmckee54]

Vixen:

Silly question, but did any of that literature explain why the oil pan/sump was so deep on that engine?  I can't think of any good reason other than keeping the oil pump fed when the engine was at various angles when climbing and diving.

Don

[Vixen]

Vixen:

Silly question, but did any of that literature explain why the oil pan/sump was so deep on that engine?  I can't think of any good reason other than keeping the oil pump fed when the engine was at various angles when climbing and diving.

Don

Hello Don,

I believe you are quite correct in your assumption. The deep wet sump would ensure continuous oil pick up in steep (45*) climbs and dives. Centrifugal force would feed the oil to the pump during barrel rolls and loops. Best to not fly inverted for too long.   

By the way, the winner was Ron. The literature is already winging it's way to California.

Mike   

[crueby]

Did they make entire planes, or just the engines for planes?

[Vixen]

Hispano-Suiza 8 engines and variants were produced by Hispano-Suiza and also by many other companies under license, they were built in twenty-one different factories in Spain, France, Britain, Italy, and the U.S.A.  H-S did not build aircraft but their engines were fitted to most makes of aircraft, all over the world. It was the 'must have' engine of it's day.

Mike

[Elam Works]

Hispano-Suiza also made aircraft and anti-aircraft 20mm cannons. But that was a little later, mid-thirties and into WW2. I think they were developments of existing designs.

-Doug

[RReid]

They also made machine tools. This horizontal mill was for sale online not far from me a couple of years ago, with tooling including a vertical head attachment. At $14K, it was expensive but not astronomical. Woulda been nice...

The brochure cover shows a tool and cutter grinder.

[ddmckee54]

I knew about the aircraft engines, and the cannons.  My absolute favorite aircraft, the P-61 Black Widow, used 20mm Hispano cannons.  Hispano Aviacion did license-build versions of the Bf-109 during and after the war, probably for Spain's air force.  I did NOT know about the Hispano machine tools.  Thanks, new trivia that will amaze and astound - only a very select and lucky few.