Daimler-Benz DB 601

The Daimler-Benz DB 601 was a German aircraft engine that was built during World War II. It was a liquid-cooled inverted V12, that powered the Messerschmitt Bf 109, Messerschmitt Bf 110, and many others. Approximately 19,000 601s were produced before being replaced by the improved Daimler-Benz DB 605 in 1942.

At its core, the DB 601 was an improved DB 600 with direct fuel injection. Fuel injection required power to be taken off the drive shaft, but in return, improved low-RPM performance significantly and provided aerobatic performance in maneuvers where early versions of carbureted engines like the British Rolls-Royce Merlin lost power when the carburetor float bowl ran dry.

The 601's fuel injection provided a significant boost in performance which its competitor, the Junkers Jumo 210, did not match for some time. By the time the fuel-injected Jumo 211 arrived, the 601 had already cemented its place as the engine for high-performance designs like fighters, high-speed bombers, and similar roles. The 211 was relegated to use in bombers and transport aircraft. In this respect, the 601 was the counterpart to the Merlin engine of roughly the same size and power.

The DB 601Aa was licence-built in Japan by Aichi as the Atsuta, by Kawasaki as the Ha40, and in Italy by Alfa Romeo as the R.A.1000 R.C.41-I Monsone.

Development Based on the guidelines laid down by the German "Reichverkehrsministerium" (Reich Ministry of Transport),MTU-Museum Triebwerksgeschichte – gestern, heute und morgen , on www.mtu.de (German, PDF, 4,4 MB) in 1930 Daimler-Benz began development of a new aero engine of the displacement class: a liquid-cooled inverted-vee 12-cylinder piston engine.Mankau&Petrick, 2001. pp. 347-355 This was designated F4, and by 1931 two prototypes were running on the test bench. These were followed by the improved F4B, which became the prototype for the DB 600.

In 1933, Daimler-Benz finally received a contract to develop its new engine and to build six examples of the DB 600. For the year after, the DB 600 was the only German aero engine in the 30-litre class. In total, 2,281 DB 600s were built.

The DB 601A-1 was a development of the DB 600 with mechanical direct fuel injection. Like all DB 601s, it had a 33.9 litre displacement. The first DB 601A-1 prototype, designated as F4E, was test run in 1935, and an order for 150 engines was placed in February 1937.

Serial production began in November 1937, and ended in 1943, after 19,000 examples of all types were produced.

Variants

DB 601 A-1 Up to at sea level with 2,400 rpm, up to at 2,400 rpm and altitude, B4 fuel DB 601 Aa Up to at sea level with 2,500 rpm, up to at 2,400 rpm and altitude, B4 fuel DB 601 B-1Same as DB601 A-1 for use in Messerschmitt Bf 110 and/or bomber aircraft (different prop/engine ratio, 1:1.88 instead of 1:1.55) DB 601 BaSimilar to Aa for use in Messerschmitt Bf 110 and/or bomber aircraft (different prop/engine ratio, 1:1.88 instead of 1:1.55) DB 601 M For use in the Heinkel He 100D DB 601 N Up to at sea level and at altitude with 2,600 rpm, C3 fuel Up to at altitude with 2,600 rpm DB 601 P Same as DB 601 N for use in Messerschmitt Bf 110 and/or bomber aircraft (different prop/engine ratio, 1:1.88 instead of 1:1.55) DB 601 E Up to at sea level with 2,700 rpm, up to with 2.700 rpm at altitude, B4 fuel Up to at altitude with 2,700 rpm DB 601 F/G Same as DB 601 E for use in Messerschmitt Bf 110, Messerschmitt Me 210 and/or bomber aircraft (different prop/engine ratio,1:1.875 (601F), 1:2.06 (601G) instead of 1:1.685) DB 606 A/B Project initiated in February 1937, to "twin-up" two DB 601As or Es coupled to work on a single propeller shaft with all-up weight of some 1.5 tonnes; for use in Heinkel He 119 (one DB 606) and Messerschmitt Me 261 (twin DB 606) designs, where they worked well in their prototype airframes; saw first combat use with early Heinkel He 177As - 2,700 PS (1,986 kW) at sea level with a mirror-imaged starboard component engine supercharger. Derided as "welded-together engines" by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring in August 1942, from the problems they caused with engine fires in the He 177A during service from their inadequate installation design. Alfa-Romeo R.A.1000 R.C.41-I MonsoneLicence built by Alfa Romeo in Italy Aichi Atsuta

Licence built by Aichi in Japan Kawasaki Ha40

Licence built by Kawasaki in Japan

Applications DB 601 Arado Ar 240 CANSA FC.20 Dornier Do 215 Heinkel He 100 Heinkel He 111 P Henschel Hs 130 A-0 Kawasaki Ki-60 Messerschmitt Bf 109 Messerschmitt Bf 110 Messerschmitt Me 210 Savoia-Marchetti SM.88

DB 606 Heinkel He 119 Heinkel He 177A-1 and A-3 Junkers Ju 288C Messerschmitt Me 261

Licensees Aichi Atsuta Aichi M6A Yokosuka D4Y Alfa Romeo R.A.1000 R.C.41 Macchi C.202 Reggiane Re.2001 Kawasaki Ha40 Kawasaki Ki-61

Specifications (DB 601 Aa / Ba)

Daimler-Benz DB 601

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