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.
Before luxury cars, BMW originated in WWI building fighter plane engines. War aftermath and bans forced BMW to exit aircraft production twice until focusing on automobiles. 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? The BMW 801C powered early models of the World War II German Focke.
BMW F30, F80 ///M3, F82 ///M4 image by Dave | Fighter jets, Fighter, Bmw
Before it became a luxury car brand, BMW was known for manufacturing aircraft engines. The BMW IIIa engine significantly improved the performance of the Fokker D.VII aircraft in World War I. The BMW 801 engine was one of the most powerful piston engines during World War II.
The roar of the BMW 801 was unmistakable during World War II. Powering famed aircraft like the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 and the Junkers Ju 88, this engine played a critical role in aerial encounters during World War II. The BMW Strahljager "Projekt I" began the series of four related turbojet-powered designs.
Fighter jet built by BMW | OpenArt
This offering was of single-seat, single-engine configuration intended as a high-speed fighter / interceptor to better contend with the waves of Allied bombers wreaking havoc on German war. BMW turns 100 years old on Monday. Before the company made high-end motorcycles and cars, it powered some of Germany's preeminent fighter airplanes as far back as World War I.
The BMW 801 engine, in particular, was used in a variety of Luftwaffe aircraft, known for its reliability and power. The twin-row BMW 801 radial engine that powered most operational versions enabled the Fw 190 to lift larger loads than the Bf 109, allowing its use as a day fighter, fighter-bomber, ground-attack aircraft and to a lesser degree, night fighter.
