Gnome Omega
The Gnome 7 Omega is a French seven-cylinder, air-cooled aero engine produced by Gnome et Rhône. It was shown at the Paris Aero Salon held in December 1908 and was first flown in 1909. It was the world's first aviation rotary engine produced in quantity. Its introduction revolutionized the aviation industry and it was used by many early aircraft. It produced from its engine capacity. A Gnome Omega engine powers the 1912 Blackburn Monoplane, owned and operated by the Shuttleworth Collection, the oldest known airworthy British-designed aeroplane worldwide. A two-row version of the same engine was also produced, known as the Gnome 14 Omega-Omega or Gnome 100 hp. The prototype Omega engine still exists, and is on display at the United States' National Air and Space Museum.
Like all early Gnome et Rhône engines the Omega features a single pushrod driven exhaust valve on the cylinder head; the intake valve is located in the piston crown, opening by inertia on the downstroke and feeding the intake charge from the crankcase into the upper part of the cylinder. No throttle is provided, the pilot controls the aircraft's speed by switching off the ignition when necessary.
Variants
;Gnome 7 Omega:Single-row 7-cyl. original version;.;Gnome 14 Omega-Omega
Applications
Gnome 7 Omega
Gnome 14 Omega-Omega
- Avro 501
- Blériot XIII
- Bleriot XXIII
- Bristol-Gordon England G.E.2
- Coventry Ordnance Works Biplane 10
- Deperdussin 1912 Racing Monoplane
- Nieuport IV.H floatplane
- Short S.41 Tractor Biplane
- Short S.57 Seaplane
- Short S.64 Folder Seaplane
- Short Admiralty Type 74
Engines on display
- The very first Gnome rotary engine ever built, Gnôme Omega No. 1, is on display at the National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C.
- A preserved production Gnome 7 Omega engine is on public display at the Royal Air Force Museum London.
- A restored Omega is on display at the New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks, CT.
Specifications (7 Omega)