ABC 8 hp

8 hp
	ABC 8 hp installed in the English Electric Wren at the Shuttleworth Collection
Type	Flat-twin aero engine
National origin	United Kingdom
Manufacturer	ABC Motors Limited
Designer	Granville Bradshaw
First run	1923

The ABC 8 hp is an 8 hp (6 kW) two-cylinder aero engine designed by the noted British engineer Granville Bradshaw for use in ultralight aircraft. The engine was derived from a specially tuned motorcycle unit and was built by ABC Motors, first running in 1923.^[1]

Applications

Surviving engines

The sole surviving English Electric Wren (G-EBNV) flies occasionally at the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden and is powered by an ABC 8 hp engine. With barely enough power to maintain flight the aircraft is assisted into the air by a team of volunteers using bungee cord, after which the Wren lands straight ahead following a short 'hop'.^[2]

Specifications (ABC 8 hp)

Data from Lumsden^[3]

General characteristics

Type: 2-cylinder air-cooled flat-twin
Bore: 2.72 in (69 mm)
Stroke: 2.13 in (54 mm)
Displacement: 24.76 cu in (404 cc)
Dry weight: 41 lb (18.6 kg)

Components

Valvetrain: Overhead valve, two valves per cylinder
Fuel system: Carburettor
Fuel type: Petrol
Cooling system: Air-cooled

Performance

Power output: 8 hp (6 kW) at 4,500 rpm
Power-to-weight ratio: 0.2 hp/lb (0.32 kW/kg)

References

Notes

^ Lumsden 2003, p.51.
^ The Shuttleworth Collection - English Electric Wren Retrieved: 7 February 2009
^ Lumsden 2003, p.54.

Bibliography

Guttery, T.E. The Shuttleworth Collection of historic aeroplanes, cars, cycles, carriages and fire engines. Biggleswade, Bedfordshire: The Collection, 1969. ISBN 978-0-901319-01-2
Lumsden, Alec. British Piston Engines and their Aircraft. Marlborough, Wiltshire: Airlife Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-85310-294-6.

External links

[1] Lumsden 2003, p.51.

[2] The Shuttleworth Collection - English Electric Wren Retrieved: 7 February 2009

[3] Lumsden 2003, p.54.

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