The Daimler-Benz DB 600 series were a number of German aircraft engines designed and built before and during World War II as part of a new generation of German engine technology. The general layout was that of a liquid-cooled, inverted V12 engine. The design originated to a private venture project of Daimler-Benz, the F4 engine. Most newer DB engine designs used in WW2 were based around this engine.
The decision by the RLM to concentrate on manufacturing aircraft engines using fuel injection systems rather than carburetors meant that the DB 600 was quickly superseded by the otherwise similar DB 601 that included direct fuel injection. Later DB series engines grew in bore, stroke, and horsepower, including the DB 603 and DB 605, but were generally similar to the pattern created with the DB 600.
Development
Origins: the F4
Based on the guidelines laid down by the Reichswehrministerium (Imperial Ministry of Defence), in 1929 Daimler-Benz begun development of a new aero engine of the 30-litre class: a liquid-cooled inverted-Vee 12-cylinder piston engine. This became the F4, and by 1931 two prototypes were running on the test bench. These were followed by the improved F4 B, which became the prototype for the DB 600.
[Mankau&Petrick, 2001. p. 348.]
Daimler-Benz DB 600
In 1933, Daimler-Benz finally received a contract to develop its new engine and to build six examples of the DB 600. For the year after, the DB 600 was the only German
aero engine in the 30-litre class.
In total, 2,281 DB 600s were built.
Unlike the later engines of the DB 600 series, fuel mixture was controlled by
carburetor
A carburetor (also spelled carburettor) is a device used by an internal combustion engine to control and mix air and fuel entering the engine. The primary method of adding fuel to the intake air is through the venturi tube in the main meteri ...
.
Variants:
DB 600 A¹ and B²
Developed in 1934, the A and B variants were identical except for their reduction gear ratios: the former was intended for the
Bf 109
The Messerschmitt Bf 109 is a German World War II fighter aircraft that was, along with the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, the backbone of the Luftwaffe's fighter force. The Bf 109 first saw operational service in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War an ...
single-engine interceptor, the latter variant for the
Bf 110
The Messerschmitt Bf 110, often known unofficially as the Me 110,Because it was built before ''Bayerische Flugzeugwerke'' became Messerschmitt AG in July 1938, the Bf 110 was never officially given the designation Me 110. is a twin-engine (Des ...
heavy fighter
A heavy fighter is a historic category of fighter aircraft produced in the 1930s and 1940s, designed to carry heavier weapons, and/or operate at longer ranges than light fighter aircraft. To achieve performance, most heavy fighters were twin-eng ...
.
Power at sea level:
*''Kurzleistung'' (short-term output): 1000
PS for 5 minutes
*''Kampfleistung'' (combat output): 900 PS for 30 minutes
*''Dauerleistung'' (continuous output): 900 PS, continuous
DB 600C¹ and D²
As the A/B, but with supercharger and 13,120 feet (4000 m) rated altitude.
Power at Sea level:
*''Kurzleistung'': 950 PS for 5 minutes
Power at 13,120 feet (4000 m) rated altitude:
*''Kurzleistung'': 910 PS for 5 minutes
*''Kampfleistung'': 850 PS for 30 minutes
*''Dauerleistung'': 800 PS, continuous
DB600G¹ and H²
Developed in 1936, the DB 600G and H offered increased power output, otherwise were similar to the C/D variants.
Power at Sea level:
*''Startleistung'' (take-off output): 1050 PS for 1 minute
*''Kurzleistung'': 920 PS for 5 minutes
*''Dauerleistung'': 775 PS, continuous
Power at 13,120 feet (4000 m) rated altitude:
*''Kurzleistung'': 1050 PS for 5 minutes
*''Dauerleistung'': 800 PS, continuous
¹
Reduction Gearing = 1.55
²
Reduction Gearing = 1.88
Daimler-Benz DB 601
The DB 601 was a development of the DB 600G with direct fuel injection, which produced better fuel economy, and eliminated engine cut-out due to carburettor induced fuel starvation during negative
G-loads.
[Mankau&Petrick, 2001. pp. 347-355] The supercharger in the new engine was driven through a stage-less, automatically controlled
hydraulic clutch. The supercharger speed was adjusted via the slip in the clutch, controlled by a barometric device. This solution minimized the power loss typical of multi-speed superchargers with fixed supercharger gear ratios.
The assembly of the first prototypes began in September 1934, designated as DB 601 V. The first powered flight of a DB 601/0 was in a Ju 52 testbed on 11 June 1936. The first prototype with the direct fuel injection, designated as F4E, was test run in 1935, and an order for 150 engines was placed in February 1937.
Serial production begun in November 1937, and ended in 1943, after 19,000 examples of all types were produced.
As in previous DB 600s, all DB 601-series had 33.9 litre displacement.
It was installed in the
Heinkel He 112
The Heinkel He 112 is a German fighter aircraft designed by Walter and Siegfried Günter. It was one of four aircraft designed to compete for the 1933 fighter contract of the ''Luftwaffe'', in which it came second behind the Messerschmitt Bf 10 ...
(in 1937), the
Heinkel He 111
The Heinkel He 111 is a German airliner and bomber designed by Siegfried and Walter Günter at Heinkel Flugzeugwerke in 1934. Through development, it was described as a "wolf in sheep's clothing". Due to restrictions placed on Germany after th ...
(1938), the
Fieseler Fi 167
The Fieseler Fi 167 was a 1930s German biplane torpedo and reconnaissance bomber designed for use from the Graf Zeppelin class aircraft carriers under construction from 1936 to 1942.
Development
In early 1937, the ''Reichsluftfahrtministerium ...
(1938), the
Messerschmitt Bf 109
The Messerschmitt Bf 109 is a German World War II fighter aircraft that was, along with the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, the backbone of the Luftwaffe's fighter force. The Bf 109 first saw operational service in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War an ...
E (1938) and various experimental types.
Daimler-Benz DB 602
A 16-cylinder airship diesel engine, only related to the DB 600 by the manufacturer.
Daimler-Benz DB 603
Daimler-Benz DB 604
An X-24 design based on the DB 600.
Daimler-Benz DB 605
See also
References
Bibliography
* Mankau, Heinz and Peter Petrick.'' Messerschmitt Bf 110, Me 210, Me 410''. Raumfahrt, Germany: Aviatic Verlag, 2001. .
* Neil Gregor ''Daimler-Benz in the Third Reich''. Yale University Press, 1998
External links
Aviation History.com, DB 600 series page
{{DEFAULTSORT:Daimler-Benz Db 600 Series
1930s aircraft piston engines
Daimler-Benz aircraft engines
Inverted aircraft piston engines