Aerospace Engines A to Z
Aerospace Engines A to Z

Updated: 18-May-2020

Sometimes mentioned as a "Langley" engine. It was actually a Manly.

-Samuel Pierpoint Langley was a precursor of aviation and already in 1896 he tried out his “Aerodrome” on the Potomac River, lacking power for such a machine, going directly to the water.

The Aerodrome
“The Aerodrome”

-Optimistic representation of the Aerodrome flight attempt.

-It really collapsed right in front of the floating structure.

From Appendix 6: Samuel P. Langley, an American aviation pioneer, has been located in the NASM files with the steam engine that was used on the Aerodrome No 5 in 1896.

Componentes del motor de vapor de Langley
“Steam engine components”

-On the Aerodrome A of 1903 used the Manly (Langley-Manly) engine (see Manly) that gave 52 HP at 950 rpm, weighing 135 pounds.

Langley-Manly engine on test bench
“Langley-Manly engine on test bench”

-The Aerodrome A engine was rotary radial engine with 5 cylinders that was protected between wheels.

Engines of LANGLEY

Model: Motor vapor para el Aerodrome 5

Arquitecture: de 5 cilindros
Total Displacement:
Bore / Stroke:
Boiler Pressure:
Power: 52 HP @ 950 rpm
Weight: 135 Lb

Other details:

Rotary engine

Langley-Manly engine on a test bench

"Langley-Manly engine on a test bench"

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