Gnome Omega engine

Gnome-Rhône is a famous French airplanes’ engine manufacturer since 1915 following the merger of two manufacturers. One of them was Gnome which became famous in 1909 with its first generation of Omega rotative’s engine with which Henri Farman won the world record of distance and length with his plane “Voisin”.

Omega engine was very special because it was a rotative engine,the crankshaft was permanent and the engine was rotating with the propeller at the same time. Here is a very nice scale model made during the manufacturer’s era for its promotion.

The set-up of the model can be surprising , we could think that it should be inverted with the propeller on the foreground. This configuration permits to highlight the engine and the manufacturer’s name.

Indeed, if the model is displayed like this it is because it is the authentic set-up, the one the engine had on the plane – the engine was mounted forwards the airscrew !

Rotative engine, air cooling, 7 cylinder bank, capacity of
8 liters (2.11 gallons), 50 horsepower at around 1200 revs *

The model is of the finest workmanship. The laminated propeller is fixed on a copper painted engine. Both are interdependent and they can turn together as it was the case in reality. The unit is assembled on a ball bearing stand.

This model is very nicely and finely made and is still in an exceptional condition for its almost … 100 years ! Only is to be deplored a very small lack in blade’s tip.  
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* Picture : Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace website

Gnome Omega engine model (circa 1910) coper and wood - Size : base width 16,5 cm,
  engine diameter 5.12" (13 cm), propeller diameter 15" (38 cm), height (engine/propeller)
3.15" (8 cm) - Price : sold (Currency assistant)
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