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Engine – Anzani 6-Cylinder

It was an Anzani engine which powered the tiny monoplane in which M. Bleriot made the memorable first flight across the English Channel on 25 July 1909. The engine had three cylinders and provided 25hp. The 6 cylinder engine on display is a later version (circa 1914) and is virtually two 3-cylinder engines sharing a common crankcase. The cylinder bores are 4.14in, stroke 4.73in, 1,300rpm. Power is 50/60hp. In all the early Anzani engines the cylinders are slightly off-set or desaxe, i.e. the cylinder axis does not pass through that of the crankshaft. The principle object being to diminish the obliquity of the connecting rod to the piston axis during the working stroke, thus reducing piston friction, heating and wear. During the early period, Anzani produced engines of 3, 6, 10 and 20 cylinders, all radial, in the range 30 to 200hp.