MATHIS 'Vega' 42-Cylinder French Aero-Engine

[Bretoal2]

Yes, a French engineer from Renault formula one engines in Paris emailed them several times on my behalf after I visited there, he was disappointed with the response. (My way if saying they were not interested at all that Renault F1 engines were trying to make contact with their museum..... )

DB 611/612 ? I have pictured this engine when I came to visit the "Galerie des moteurs"....

 

[jetcal1]

On sale April 2020, through Mortons Press. I`ve been writing it for 5 years, now just about done - in the last 3months of writing it now.

If you`re interested I tend to put info on my website and horrid (but useful) places like facebook/linkedin/twitter.

https://www.calum-douglas.com

I suppose I can get away with shameless self publicity as I was asked... haha

View attachment 549473

Thank you.

 

[Big Jake]

A few years ago I happened to be in Zagreb, Croatia and wandered into the technology museum there. I was amazed at the collection of aero engines that they have on display there - I would think it's a must for any aero engine enthusiast... and they have a beautiful P-47 on display as well...

 

[johnbr]

http://www.enginehistory.org/Piston/French/Mathis42/Mathis42.shtml

 

[johnbr]

The Vega had a 4.92 in (125 mm) bore and a 4.53 in (115 mm) stroke. The 42-cylinder engine displaced 3,617 cu in (59.3 L) and had a compression ratio of 6.5. The Vega was 42.1 in (1.07 m) in diameter and 59.8 in (1.52 m) long. The French Air Ministry was very enthusiastic about the Vega and paid for its development and the construction of two prototypes. The first Vega was known as the 42A, and the engine was first run in 1938. The 42A produced 2,300 hp (1,715 kW) at 3,000 rpm and 3,000 hp (2,237 kW) at 3,500 rpm. The engine weighed 2,756 lb (1,250 kg). Reportedly, two examples were built as well as a full-scale model. It is not clear how much testing was undertaken, but some sources indicate the engine was flown 100 hours in a test bed during 1939. Unfortunately, details of the engine's testing and the aircraft in which it was fitted have not been found.
Variants
Vega 42A Initial version of the engine first run in 1938, rated 1,700 kW (2,300 hp) at 3,000 rpm. Two examples and a full-scale mock-up are reported to have been built.[1] Vega 42B An improved variant, under development in 1940. Completed and unfinished engines were hidden from invading German forces, in the Pyrenees.[1] Vega 42D An enlarged capacity version which became the Vesta 42.[1] Vega 42E Post WWII development rated at 2,100 kW (2,800 hp) for take-off. Vesta 42 An enlarged Vega, developed from 1942, with similar configuration, but 158 mm (6.22 in) bore, 145 mm (5.71 in) stroke and 119.4 l (7,290 cu in) displacement, rated at 3,700 kW (5,000 hp).[1][3]

 

[jetcal1]

The Vega had a 4.92 in (125 mm) bore and a 4.53 in (115 mm) stroke. The 42-cylinder engine displaced 3,617 cu in (59.3 L) and had a compression ratio of 6.5. The Vega was 42.1 in (1.07 m) in diameter and 59.8 in (1.52 m) long. The French Air Ministry was very enthusiastic about the Vega and paid for its development and the construction of two prototypes. The first Vega was known as the 42A, and the engine was first run in 1938. The 42A produced 2,300 hp (1,715 kW) at 3,000 rpm and 3,000 hp (2,237 kW) at 3,500 rpm. The engine weighed 2,756 lb (1,250 kg). Reportedly, two examples were built as well as a full-scale model. It is not clear how much testing was undertaken, but some sources indicate the engine was flown 100 hours in a test bed during 1939. Unfortunately, details of the engine's testing and the aircraft in which it was fitted have not been found.
Variants
Vega 42A Initial version of the engine first run in 1938, rated 1,700 kW (2,300 hp) at 3,000 rpm. Two examples and a full-scale mock-up are reported to have been built.[1] Vega 42B An improved variant, under development in 1940. Completed and unfinished engines were hidden from invading German forces, in the Pyrenees.[1] Vega 42D An enlarged capacity version which became the Vesta 42.[1] Vega 42E Post WWII development rated at 2,100 kW (2,800 hp) for take-off. Vesta 42 An enlarged Vega, developed from 1942, with similar configuration, but 158 mm (6.22 in) bore, 145 mm (5.71 in) stroke and 119.4 l (7,290 cu in) displacement, rated at 3,700 kW (5,000 hp).[1][3]


View attachment 563003

Here be a bit more.
Mathis Vega 42-Cylinder Aircraft Engine

It's posts like yours that make this a great place. Thank you!

 

[PWR4360-59B]

7 Banks, not 7 Rows. That is really good weight for that size engine, I suppose they preferred to support P&W rather than go with that design.

 

[ThomasP]

Interesting stuff guys, thanks for the info.

 

[xylstra]

http://www.enginehistory.org/Piston/French/Mathis42/Mathis42.shtmlView attachment 562992View attachment 562994View attachment 562995View attachment 562998View attachment 563002

Thanks "JohnBR" for your posting of further information on the MATHIS 'Vega'. It is of interest to note that the Patent specification extract drawing from #608,517 shows a MATHIS 5-Row variant. An unorthodox numerical variation not seen again until the ARMSTRONG-SIDDELEY Radial 'Hound'-series of aero-engine designs. It is also good to see that my initial post has fanned the 'flames of interest' in the mystery of the 'Vega'. A lot of store has been placed in Emil Mathis's statements on the engine being secreted away in Lyon. However, one thing that people consistently ignore is the old maxim "that the first casualty of war is the truth". No-one is above telling little lies and that includes the owners of corporations and for all sorts of compelling reasons. The one persistent and nagging fact is how complete the absence of corroborating evidence that has failed to emerge post-war as to the fate of these prototypes. If the prototypes remained in France why-oh-why is there no evidence save for one rather dodgy - and doubt-riddled - photo of a 'display' engine at the 1946 Paris air salon?
Something doesn't add-up!