Bmw Plane Engine

Published by Cailt February 3, 2026
1944 BMW 801 airplane engine at Visit of BMW Museum, Munich

1944 BMW 801 airplane engine at Visit of BMW Museum, Munich

Source: www.motorsport.com

BMW Airplane Engine 801 (1944) - BMW Museum Munich - YouTube

BMW Airplane Engine 801 (1944) - BMW Museum Munich - YouTube

Source: www.youtube.com

The BMW 801 was a powerful German 41.8-litre (2,550 cu in) air-cooled 14-cylinder- radial aircraft engine built by BMW and used in a number of German Luftwaffe aircraft of World War II. Production versions of the twin-row engine generated between 1,560 and 2,000 PS (1,540-1,970 hp, or 1,150-1,470 kW). It was the most produced radial engine of Germany in World War II with more than 61,000.

BMW 801 Engine in the Exhibition Hall of the BMW Museum. Piston ...

BMW 801 Engine in the Exhibition Hall of the BMW Museum. Piston ...

Source: www.dreamstime.com

In the early 20th century, BMW originated as an aircraft manufacturer before events led them to pivot toward cars. However, they temporarily returned to making airplane powerplants during World War II at the Nazi government's behest. So did BMW ever truly make complete planes or just aircraft engines? Let's delve into BMW's little known aviation history.

1944 BMW 801 airplane engine at Visit of BMW Museum, Munich

1944 BMW 801 airplane engine at Visit of BMW Museum, Munich

Source: www.motorsport.com

BMW has a long history of manufacturing cars and motorcycles, but did it ever make airplane engines? If the answer is yes, do they still make them? BMW 801 The rise of Hitler and the rapid remilitarization of Germany saw BMW return to the aircraft manufacturing space, and engineers quickly got to work on a new engine in the 1930s, one which would be among the most powerful piston engines of the entire war. The fascinating history of BMW's iconic inline-six engine, from its origins in 1917 aircraft to powering today's high.

"Fantastic to see these preserved" KB BMW 801 | Bmw, Aircraft engine ...

"Fantastic to see these preserved" KB BMW 801 | Bmw, Aircraft engine ...

Source: www.pinterest.com

When did BMW start producing jet engines? The German automaker BMW, with its headquarters in Munich, was officially founded in March 1916. From 1917 to 1918 and again from 1933 to 1945, the business produced airplane engines. In actuality, the BMW Illa straight-six aviation engine was the company's first creation.

Germany, Bavaria, Munich. BMW Museum, BMW 801 aircraft engine used in ...

Germany, Bavaria, Munich. BMW Museum, BMW 801 aircraft engine used in ...

Source: www.alamy.com

Most members will know that BMW's original business was mostly building airplane engines. After the First World War, BMW was prohibited from building airplane engines for a few years, but by 1930, the company had a full lineup of engines to power airplanes. This wonderful photo was taken at a trade show in Berlin in 1930.

BMW 801 | Bmw isetta, Radial engine, Aircraft engine

BMW 801 | Bmw isetta, Radial engine, Aircraft engine

Source: www.pinterest.com

BMW IIIa was an inline six-cylinder SOHC valvetrain, water-cooled aircraft engine, the first-ever engine produced by BMW, who, at the time, were exclusively an aircraft engine manufacturer. Its success laid the foundation for future BMW engine designs. It is best known as the powerplant of the Fokker D.VIIF, which outperformed any allied aircraft.

Bmw Engine Airplane at William Emery blog

Bmw Engine Airplane at William Emery blog

Source: storage.googleapis.com

BMW produces 2 models of aircraft engines, collectively powering 3 aircraft models. Predominantly reciprocating engines, they deliver an average output of 901 horsepower (HP), equivalent to 672 kilowatts (kW) across all models. The BMW 801 was the first German high-performance, air-cooled radial engine of new design introduced after the start of World War II.

Introduction of a cooling fan in the cowl nose opening, operating at approximately three times propeller speed and with internal baffles, made it possible to eliminate all external cowling enlargements. In most installations, the exhaust pipes were grouped to.