Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 26, 2026

Jacobs R-915

The Jacobs R-915 or Jacobs L-6 is a seven-cylinder, air-cooled, radial engine for aircraft manufactured in the United States, production started in 1936.

Last revised
Jul 26, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
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Citations
5
Source
R-915
TypeRadial engine
ManufacturerJacobs Aircraft Engine Company
Developed fromJacobs R-755

The Jacobs R-915 or Jacobs L-6 is a seven-cylinder, air-cooled, radial engine for aircraft manufactured in the United States, production started in 1936.1

Design and development

The R-915 was effectively an enlargement of the R-755 with strengthened stressed parts.2 With a bore and stroke of 5.5 in × 5.5 in (140 mm × 140 mm), for a displacement of 915 cu in (15 L). Take-off power was around 330 hp (250 kW). The engine features steel cylinders with aluminum-alloy cylinder heads.

Variants

R-915A1
Baseline variant; an enlarged R-755
R-915A3
Similar to the A1 but with Scintilla magnetoes
R-915A4
With a power take-off for autogyros

Applications

Engines on display

Specifications (R-915A1)

Data from Jane's5

General characteristics

  • Type: 7-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine
  • Bore: 5.5 in (140 mm)
  • Stroke: 5.5 in (140 mm)
  • Displacement: 915 cu in (15 L)
  • Length: 40 in (1,030 mm)
  • Diameter: 45.5 in (1,160 mm)
  • Dry weight: 555 lb (252 kg)

Components

  • Valvetrain: 2 valves per cylinder (pushrod-actuated); sodium cooled exhaust valves
  • Fuel system: Single Stromberg NA-R7A carburetor
  • Fuel type: 80 octane
  • Oil system: One pressure pump, two scavenge pumps
  • Cooling system: Air-cooled
  • Reduction gear: Direct drive, right hand tractor

Performance

See also

See also

Related development

Comparable engines

Related lists

References

References

Notes

  1. Gunston 1989, p.85.
  2. Wilkinson, Paul H. (1950). Aircraft engines of the World 1950 (8th ed.). London: Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd. p. 161.
  3. Nanton Lancaster Society: Jacobs L-6 MB Archived 2015-09-23 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved: 23 July 2015
  4. The Canadian Museum of Flight - L-6 Retrieved: 31 January 2009
  5. Janes 1989, p.305.

Bibliography

  • Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9
  • Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London. Studio Editions Ltd, 1989. ISBN 0-517-67964-7
External links