This is the translation:
Manufacturer: ALFA ROMEO, Societa Anonima, Milano
Designer: Engineer H.C. Giustino Cattaneo (1881-1973)
Description: 18-cylinder two-star, with compressor and gear, obtained by coupling two derivatives from the Bristol Mercury (designer AH Roy Fedden) engine produced under license by Alfa Romeo
Cooling: air
Bore: 146 mm
Stroke: 165 mm
Displacement: 49,722 dm3
Distribution: overhead valves, four per cylinder arranged with slightly inclined axis control valve pushrod
Geometric compression ratio: 6.3
Power supply: with aspirated carburetors
Supercharger: centrifugal single-stage and one speed with controlled dispensing by an automatic limiter
Ignition: double with four rnagnets
Reduction Gear: epicyclic conical (bevel) gear
Max power: 1410 cv (1390 hp) at 3200 meters of altitude
Speed of revolution: 2400 rpm
Dry Weight: 990 kg
Specific weight: kg/cv 0.702
Specific power per unit of displacement: CV/liter 28.36
Year of construction: 1934-1937
Production: in small series
Installs: Caproni Ca135, Ca169, Ca325 - Fiat G12 - CantZ1018 - SIAI SM90 and SM82 (only center)
The famous engineer Cattaneo, during the brief period spent as a technical director at Alfa Romeo Avio engines, after started the chain of production for the 126, he began to study two engines: the Alfa 130RC38, a derivative from Mercury who died prior to the approval , and a high power engine, the Alfa 135RC32, designed as a double star obtained with the coupling of two derivatives of the same Mercury. The Mercury, already mass-produced without great success, was born before the Pegasus and it appeared pretty much the same all over, including details, but it was sized with a stroke of the piston of an inch lower than that of its derivative Pegasus.
This implied a diameter of dimensions of the front of only 130.7 cm, exactly ten less than the Pegasus-126 and derivatives, and thus a lower surface of beyond what had been 15%. In addition to this it should be noted that the weight was also lower by about 10%, while the performance of the most advanced versions made by Bristol were made equal to those of the bigger Pegasus. Alfa instead, perhaps for lack of demand, gave no following to the Mercury in addition to the failed attempt of 130. Cattaneo, using the valuable potential capacities of Mercury, he conceived an engine as unpredictable as the 135 engine with a long history that deserves to be known.
Since the birth were many hopes pinned on this engine, on paper had all the qualities to succeed, "the" engine long awaited by our Air Force. It was exhibited at the Air Show in Milan in 1937 in an aura of mystery doing good impression, it was a major engine in all respects, aesthetically valuable. It was a pre-built, but in 1943 it was not yet sufficiently developed. In conclusion an engine failure, as its derivative 136 remained on paper and the experimental 138RC23/65 incorporating the idea of Cattaneo with the coupling of two 126, or with their derivatives, and a superb two-speed compressor with the power rated altitude at 6500 meters. Even the subtype 135RC45 few examples were built, and flew with the wonderful CantZ1015.
The "135" also aroused admiration only to watch it: a beautiful machinery. This led even the rumors about requests made by the Germans to have the supply or construction license. But two facts are enough to show that these were only rumors: the events that accompanied the life of the few copies produced and the existence of a much better engine, and equivalent characteristics, mass production line, the BMW801.