Why inverted V12

[drgondog]

I once read that an inverted V gives you better forward vision in an aircraft. Not sure if it's true.

In the comparison between Spit and merlin Mustang vs 109 it is true. Additionally the required cross section of the nose area was slightly reduced because of the inversion, giving more room for armament in the fuselage (or improving drag area if no armament added.

 

[icepac]

In an inverted configuration, oil naturally escaping parts above cooled the pistons from the "bottom" side instead of having to use oil pressure to spray it upward against the piston undersides.

Of course, having oil being beat about by the pistons does take some horsepower though clever shrouding may reduce this issue by directing only a fraction of the "spillage" to land on the pistons.

 

[jerryw]

Some more thoughts.......