Specialty Press

A Technical and Operational History of the Liberty Engine

by  Robert J. Neal

Reviewed By  Brian R. Baker, IPMS# 43146

MSRP: $74.95 ISBN: 9781580071499 Website: www.specialtypress.com The Liberty Engine was the result of a coordinated design effort by Americans to solve a problem faced by the various Allied nations during World War I -- that of the numerous types of engines powering the combat planes of the period. This proliferation of engine types and designs created a logistical nightmare, in that spare parts had to be kept in stock for each type, and mechanics had to become familiar with numerous different engines, even within the same unit. The result was the development of an engine, developed by Packard and Hall Scott and named the Liberty, which could be manufactured in quantity in four, six, eight, and twelve cylinder versions, with the cylinders and some other parts being interchangeable. Although a small number of L-4, L-6, and L-8 engines were produced, the 400 hp., twelve-cylinder engine was the only model produced in large quantities. The engine was used to power various types of large airplanes during WWI, including the American-built DeHavilland DH-4 and the large Curtiss H-12 flying boats. Many other types used the engine postwar. In addition, Liberty engines were used to power various types of tanks, and these were in use by the U.S. Army almost until the start of World War II. Starting with the Mk.VIII tank, Liberties were used in most of the production tanks between the Armistice and WWII. Postwar developments included superchargers and even an air-cooled model, with finned cylinders replacing the radiator and water-cooling system. (This was before the days of Prestone anti-freeze, which was more efficient than water for engine cooling.) Other uses for postwar Liberty engines included power for high-speed racing boats and power launches, and even in wind machines for the movie industry. I recall seeing several used on the Salton Sea in California in the late fifties when the film "Run Silent, Run Deep" was being made. The twenty-foot "destroyers" were also interesting. Today, a few Liberties can be seen in various aviation museums, and they are no doubt inside tanks on display at places such as Fort Knox and the magnificent armor collection at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. A number are also still powering racing boats and a few still power vintage airplanes, so it looks like the old Liberty engine will probably be around for many years to come. The Book This book, entitled "A Technical and Operational History of the Liberty Engine", is much more than that. It will become the definitive work on this famous powerplant, and will tell you everything you would ever want to know about the engine, and probably a lot more. Then author begins by explaining the development of aircraft engines prior to World War I, culminating in the development of the Liberty. Design, production, and development of the engine are discussed in great detail, and the personalities are included---this is not just a technical history but a personal one, something normally only alluded to in technological history works. Other chapters tell about postwar developments, foreign production in England and Russia, and postwar use of the engines in tanks, watercraft, and for other purposes. And there’s more. Over a thousand photos, drawings, and charts are included, and these are very high in quality. There is a photo of virtually every airplane that was ever powered by a Liberty, many from the collection of renowned aircraft photographer Peter M. Bowers. There are some very rare photos here. Eight pages of color photos and drawings show surviving examples of the engine. The tank section also illustrates the various types that were Liberty powered, and some interesting photos of some of the Gar Wood racing boats are included. Illustrations show all of the variants of the engine, including most experimental prototypes. The detail and exploded drawings and photos are of such quality that they would probably be helpful if you were trying to overhaul one of these engines. At the back of the book is a very complete five page annotated bibliography, followed by a seven-page index. For anyone seriously interested in the use of this historic engine in aviation, military vehicles, and boats, this book is a "must buy". I found it to be extremely readable, and it will be very useful when I want to build a model of some experimental Liberty-powered airplane of the post World War I period. The research the author did for this book was outstanding, and must represent many years of digging and sorting information. This book is truly a "labor of love". Don’t miss out on this one. Thanks to IPMS/USA and Specialty Press for the review copy.