Aerospace Engines A to Z
Aerospace Engines A to Z

Updated: 03-Oct-2019

Kimball Aircraft Corp of Naugatuck in Connecticut began manufacturing aviation engines in 1928.

-Standing out the Kimball K. "Beetle", a seven-cylinder radial, giving 135 hp at 1,800 rpm with a displacement of 585 cu. in.

-In addition to the 7-cylinder radial engine “Beetle” the Kimball Aircraft Corp. made another engine with two horizontally opposed cylinders of 25 HP, during the same time as the one mentioned above. This engine was known as the Gnat and was presented in 1937.

Kimball, Gnat
“Kimball, Gnat”

-On the radial engine the valves are behind the cylinder heads, the intake below and the exhaust above.

-It has L-shape combustion chambers.

-Below we show a front and semi-rear view of the 7-cylinder radial engine.

Kimball Beetle
“Kimball Beetle”

Kimball Beetle, side view
“Another view of the Beetle”

Engines of KIMBALL

Model: Beetle K

Arquitecture: 7-cylinder Radial
Cooling:
Total Displacement: 585 cu. in.
Bore / Stroke:
Power: 135 HP @ 1800 rpm
Weight:

Other details:
Kimball Beetle, side view

"Kimball Beetle, side view"

Model: Gnat M

Arquitecture: Horizontally opposed
Cooling:
Total Displacement:
Bore / Stroke:
Power: 25 HP
Weight:

Other details:
Kimball, Gnat

"Kimball, Gnat"

The author of this edition of Aeroengines AtoZ, through Aeroteca, collaborated on Version 2 of this video, which is presented here.

To understand the operation of the connecting rods, the 1929 Continental R 670 single-cylinder engine was chosen.

A demonstration of Version 3, improved at the author's suggestion, is also available on YouTube at a later date. This version shows bronze valve guides, improved valve spring movement, and the split crankshaft counterweights and front bearing balls also move.

The design is from Juan Soler, Sant Cugat, Barcelona

Below we show a flash of version 3

Counting also with the coloboration of JMC of Enginys Mecanics in Mataro, Barcelona