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Bristol Cherub

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Bristol Cherub

The Bristol Cherub is a British two-cylinder, air-cooled, aircraft engine designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company. Introduced in 1923 it was a popular engine for ultralight and small aircraft in the 1930s.

Contents

Variants

Cherub I
Initial direct drive version introduced in 1923. Bore and stroke of 3.35 by 3.8 inches (85 mm × 97 mm) for a displacement of 67 cu in (1.095 L). 32 horsepower (24 kW) at 2,500 rpm.
Cherub II
Geared down (2:1) version of the Cherub I.
Cherub III
An improved and slightly larger (1.228 L) direct drive version introduced in 1925.

Survivors

An airworthy Messerschmitt M17 replica is owned and operated by the EADS Heritage Flight at Manching and is powered by an original Bristol Cherub III.

Engines on display

A preserved Bristol Cherub is on static display at the Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden, Bedfordshire.

Specifications (Cherub III)

Data from Lumsden.

General characteristics

  • Type: 2-cylinder air-cooled, horizontally opposed, left-hand tractor
  • Bore: 3.54 in (90 mm)
  • Stroke: 3.8 in (96.5 mm)
  • Displacement: 75 in³ (1.228 L)
  • Width: 25.6 in (650 mm)
  • Dry weight: 98 lb (39.5 kg)

    • Components

  • Valvetrain: Overhead valve
  • Oil system: Dry sump
  • Cooling system: Air-cooled

    • Performance

  • Power output: 36 hp (24 kW) at 3,200 rpm
  • Compression ratio: 5.75:1
  • Fuel consumption: 2.5 imp. gallons per hour
  • Power-to-weight ratio: 0.36 hp/lb

    • References

    Bristol Cherub Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA