Inter-Wars

Renault 4P / Bengali 4

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Charles Lindbergh’s Atlantic Ocean crossing in 1927 inspired Renault to enter the light aero-engine market to diversify the range of engines they offered. The resulting Renault 4Ps, aka Renault Bengali 4, with 115 mm (4.5 in) bore and 140 mm (5.5 in) stroke, delivered 95 hp (71 kW) and proved popular, later versions powering several record-breaking light aircraft with up to 150 hp (110 kW).

Developed by Charles-Edmond Serre, by 1931 the 6.3-litre 4Pdi had evolved to give 110 hp (82 kW) to 120 hp (89 kW), with the adoption of 120 mm (4.7 in) bore steel cylinder liners, aluminium alloy cylinder heads attached by long studs to the crankcase, Duralumin connecting rods and magnesium alloy crankcase.

In 1946 production of the Renault 4P-01 resumed at the SNECMA factory at Arnage, until 1949, with at least 762 engines manufactured.

Variants:
Renault 4Ps
The initial version with 115 mm (4.5 in) bore and 140 mm (5.5 in) stroke, delivered 95 hp (71 kW)

Renault 4Pa

Renault 4Pb
95hp / 135kg – Caudron Luciole

Renault 4Pbi
Inverted development of the Pb retaining the 115 mm (4.5 in) bore

Renault 4Pc
Further development of the Ps retaining the 115 mm (4.5 in) bore

Renault 4Pci
inverted 4Pc

Renault 4Pde

Renault 4Pdi
Inverted, introduced 120 mm (4.7 in) bore steel cylinder liners, aluminium alloy cylinder heads attached by long studs to the crankcase, Duralumin connecting rods and magnesium alloy crankcase. 110 hp / 150 kg – Hanriot 16, 120 hp / 155 kg – Caudron Phalène

Renault 4Pei
Inverted, rated at 150 hp (110 kW) for take-off, the 4Pei entered production before WWII

Renault 4Pgi
Inverted lower rated version, giving 105 hp (78 kW) for take-off, using 73-octane fuel.

Renault 4Po

Renault 4Poi
140 hp (100 kW) with fuel injection.

Renault 4P-01
Postwar production version of the 4Pei, rated at 145 hp (108 kW) for take-off.

Renault 4P-03
As the 4P-01 but with an inverted flight Zenith carburettor

Renault 4P-05
As for the 4P-03 but with a modified oil system

Renault 4P-07
As for the 4P-03 but with a modified carburettor

Renault MV-4
Licence production of a 152hp Renault 4P variant.

Applications:
ANF Les Mureaux 160T
Aubert Cigale
Boisavia Mercurey
Caudron C.193
Caudron C.232
Caudron C.270 Luciole
Caudron C.280 Phalène
Caudron C.480 Frégate
Caudron C.510 Pelican
Farman F.230
Farman F.281
Farman F.350
Max Holste MH.52
Hanriot LH.16
Hanriot H.180
Morane-Saulnier MS.341
Nord Norécrin
Potez 36/19
SABCA S.40
Stampe et Vertongen SV-4B
Sud-Est SE-2100
Sud-Est SE-2300
Sud-Est SE-2310

Specifications:
Renault 4P-01
Type: 4-cylinder naturally aspirated air-cooled inverted in-line piston aircraft engine
Bore: 120 mm (4.7 in)
Stroke: 140 mm (5.5 in)
Displacement: 6.3 L (380 cu in)
Length: 1,729 mm
Width: 480 mm
Height: 708 mm
Dry weight: 147 kg
Valvetrain: Pushrod-actuated, single intake and single exhaust valve per cylinder
Fuel system: 1x Zenith 601GS down-draught carburettor
Fuel type: 80 Octane petrol
Oil system: Pressure fed, 3.0 kg/sq.cm (43 lbf/sq.in), dry sump
Cooling system: Air
Power output:
145 hp (108 kW) at 2,450 rpm @ take-off
140 hp (100 kW) at 2,400 rpm @ sea-level normal
110 hp (82 kW) at 2,200 rpm @ sea-level cruise
Specific power: 17.15 kW/L (0.38 hp/cu.in)
Compression ratio: 5.8:1
Specific fuel consumption: 0.186 kg/kW/hr
Oil consumption: 0.005 kg/kW/hr
Power-to-weight ratio: 0.74 kW/kg

Reid & Sigrist R.S.1 Snargasher

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Reid & Sigrist Ltd built a twin-engined advanced trainer popularly known as the Snargasher, of which only a prototype (G-AEOD) was built.

A three seat trainer built at Desford shortly before the Second World War, power was by two de Havilland Gipsy Six engines. The aircraft’s first public appearance was at the Royal Aeronautical Society garden party at Heathrow in May 1939.

During the war the Snargasher flew as the maker’s communication aircraft until scrapped in 1944.

Reggiane sa

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Built Caproni aircraft during First World War, but closed its aircraft department after the war. Resumed aircraft manufacture in mid-1930s, producing the Ca.405 Procellaria high-performance twin-engine bomber in 1937. Re 2000 Falco I fighter appeared in 1940 with Fiat radial engine, and other versions followed. By 1946 the company had ceased aircraft manufacture and was building railway coaches.

Redwing Aircraft Redwing / Robinson Redwing

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Robinson Aircraft Company produced the Redwing two-seat light biplane with an Armstrong Siddeley Genet engine.

Redwing Aircraft Redwing Article

Factory at Croydon, Surrey, was transferred to Colchester, Essex, in December 1930, and in April 1931 name was changed to Redwing Aircraft Ltd.

In June 1932 Redwing bought Gatwick Aerodrome and formed a school of flying and aeronautical engineering, and in 1934 company moved back to Croydon.

A total of 12 Redwings was built, last being delivered in 1933.

Robinson Redwing 1
Engine: Genet 5 cyl radial
Loaded weight: 520 lb
Endurance: 3 hr 30 min
Seats: 2 side-by-side

Redwing Aircraft Ltd

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UK
Founded 1929 by P. G. Robinson as Robinson Aircraft Company; produced Redwing two-seat light biplane with Armstrong Siddeley Genet engine. Factory at Croydon, Surrey, was transferred to Colchester, Essex, in December 1930, and in April 1931 name was changed to Redwing Aircraft Ltd. In June 1932 Redwing bought Gatwick Aerodrome and formed a school of flying and aeronautical engineering, and in 1934 company moved back to Croydon. A total of 12 Redwings was built, last being delivered in 1933.