One of the most important American powerplants in the early years of American aviation was the Liberty engine. Developed by J. G. Vincent and E. J. Hall from a need to settle on a single engine to power American built aircraft, the Liberty went on to be the most developed and most built engine of its time.

This all came about as America came to enter WWI and noticed that there were a bewildering number of engines powering the aircraft of the time. To help settle down on one type that could be upgraded as the need was seen, it was decided to see what the various US manufacturers could provide. In the end, several different engines were developed, but it was the engine developed by the Packard Motor Car company that was chosen. This was not a totally innovative design, but it was able to be built in a variety of configurations and sizes, all using many of the same parts. The engine was eventually built in a four, six, eight and twelve cylinder model with one even being developed into an X-24 and another into a 2 cylinder version, though these latter ones did not see production.

The majority of us who know of the Liberty are familiar with the V-12 versions that seemed to be everywhere during the 1920s and 1930s. The book has photos of many of the aircraft powered by these engines and the listing is really incredible. This is as much because they were rugged and inexpensive. Not only did these engines power aircraft, but were used in Christie style tanks and in boats as well.

Production of these engines was undertaken by a number of US companies as well as many overseas; particularly in the UK and Soviet Union. The USSR used a huge number of engines in its many tanks where it provided excellent service. In fact, even as late as 1960 you could still find military use of the Liberty in some parts of the world.

In this incredible history of the development and use of the Liberty, author Robert J. Neal has pulled out all the stops to provide us with a book that is not only a fascinating technical read, but is unlikely to ever be surpassed in terms of research and thoroughness. Within these more than 600 pages are period photos as well as charts, graphs and diagrams showing every aspect of the engine including its myriad of upgrades, modifications and experimental types. This is not a weekend read by any account, but it is an incredible and most complete account and one that I am positive you will enjoy reading. It very much earns my highest recommendation and is a book that no engine enthusiast should be without.

January 2009

Review book courtesy of Specialty Press, where you can order your copy of this and many other superb aviation and modeling books. Visit their website at the link above or call them at 1-800-895-4585

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