BMW 139 information

[Hardrada55]

BMW 139 was the first engine installed on the prototype Fw 190V1. Was this engine a 14 cylinder or 18 cylinder engine? I have seen it cited before as a 14 cylinder engine and other sources say it was an 18 cylinder engine. Seeing as how the BMW 139 was developed from a 9 cylinder engine, I suspect the BMW 139 was an 18 cylinder engine. But which is true? I have also seen the engine displacement usually given as 55.378 Liters and once as 38 Liters. Which is correct? Horsepower is usually cited as 1550hp, but I have also seen 1400hp quoted. Does anyone have dry weight and dimensions? Any information would be received with gratitude.

[HoHun]

Hi Hardrada,

From von Gersdorff et al.:

BMW 139: 14 cylinder injection engine, forced-induction air cooling, 155.5 m bore, 155.5 mm stroke, 41.2 L displacement, 1500 HP @ 2700 rpm, maximum continuous 1150 HP @ 2000 rpm @ 5.4 km at 225 g/HPh specific consumption.

There was an 18 cylinder BMW 140, which was projected but not developed in 1937.

From the Rüst- und Betriebsanleitung Fw 190V-1 u. V-2:

BMW 139, injection engine

Power:

Increased short-term power (1 min): 1500 HP (take-off power)
Short-term power (5 min): 1410 HP at 4500 m altitude
Increased short-term power (30 min): 1270 HP at 4900 m altitude
Continuous power: 1150 HP at 5400 m

Weight:

Engine without additional equipment, with ventilator wheel: 800 kg

Propeller:

3.3 m diameter VDM propeller with light-alloy blades

Regards,

Henning (HoHun)

[Hardrada55]

Many thanks for the excellent information!

[Hardrada55]

How about information about the Bramo 329? Basic stuff. Number of cylinders, displacement, basic horse power information. Thanks

[HoHun]

Hi Hardrada,

>How about information about the Bramo 329? Basic stuff. Number of cylinders, displacement, basic horse power information.

Again from von Gersdorff et al.:

Bramo 329

14 cylinders, 154 mm bore, 154 mm stroke, 40.2 L displacement, two-speed single-stage supercharger, reduction gear, 1500 HP @ sea level at 2600 rpm.

I'm afraid it's not much, but the engine was cancelled in 1938 when BMW entered a cooperation with Bramo. The BMW 132 was cancelled at the same time, and the BMW 801 resulted from the cooperation (which seems to have been more of a merger, I think, but von Gersdorff et al. specifically mention a cooperation contract). The single-lever control for example had been a feature of the Bramo engines even before the war.

Regards,

Henning (HoHun)