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Spiros Pendedekas
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Trumpeter 1/32 Allison V-1710

August 25, 2023 · in Aviation · · 39 · 466

Allison, a Division of General Motors, began developing the ethylene glycol-cooled V-1710 in 1929, in order to meet a USAAC need for a modern 1,000 hp (750 kW) engine to fit into a new generation of streamlined bombers and fighters. The Great Depression slowed development, and it was not until December 14, 1936, that the engine flew in the Consolidated XA-11A testbed, with all U.S. entrants in the new pursuit competition designed around it.

The V-1710 is a 60° V12 engine with a displacement of 1,710.6 cu in (28.032 L). It features a single overhead cam per bank of cylinders and four valves per cylinder. The engine design benefited from the General Motors philosophy of built-in production and installation versatility, embracing modular design for aviation power plants.

It was constructed around a basic power section, from which different installation requirements could be met by fitting the appropriate accessories at the rear and an appropriate power output drive at the front. A key feature was its ability to turn the output shaft clockwise or counter-clockwise by a relatively simple assembly process.

The P-38, P-40, P-51A and P-82E used the V-1710-F, featuring close-coupled propeller reduction gears, whereas P-39, P-63, and XB-42 Mixmaster used the V-1710-E, exchanging the integral reduction gear for an extension shaft, driving a remotely located reduction gear and propeller.

The V-1710 did not have a "high-altitude" supercharger because this was the USAAC specification; however, it included the option of using a then newly developed turbo-supercharger if a higher altitude capability was desired, and such was the case with the XP-37(YP-37), P-38, and XP-39.

Allison slowly but continuously improved the engine during the war, not only incrementally increasing the output power from 1000 hp to as much as 2300 hp, but also increasing the installed lifetime from 300 hours to as much as 1,000 hours for the less-stressed power-plants, with minimal weight escalation, not to mention the reduction of unit cost from $25,000 down to $8,500!

Regarding the inevitable comparison between the V-1710 and the iconic Rolls-Royce Merlin, what can be said for the Allison is that it made more power at less boost, with a longer time between overhauls, and with a parts-count that was nearly half that of the Merlin engine, which greatly facilitated mass production.

There was also a high degree of commonality of parts throughout the series. The individual parts of the Allison series were produced to a high degree of standardization and reliability, using the best technology available at the time.

Despite the fact that early V-1710 was height-limited for combat operations at a maximum of about 15,000 feet (4,600 m), it was available in comparatively large numbers and proved to be robust and little affected by machine-gun fire. It became the mainstay of some Allied Air Forces in all but the European theater of war. It was a classic engine that was present when needed. In total, 69,305 V-1710s were built by Allison during the war, all in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The iconic engine's useful life continued after the war, as thousands were available on the surplus market, with many drag racers, land speed racers and tractor pullers adopting the powerful and reliable V-1710. The warbird movement began to restore and return to the air examples of the classic fighters of the war and many V-1710-powered pursuit airplanes began to fly again with freshly overhauled engines.

The reliability, maintainability, and availability of the engine has led others to use it to power flying examples of aircraft whose original engines are unobtainable, including newly manufactured Yak-3s -9s and even Ilyushin Il-2s!

This engine model is part of the well-known Trumpeter 1/32 P-40B kit. It is a complete engine model in itself, consisting of no less than 38 parts (not counting another 24 parts for the exhausts), all superbly molded and flash free.

When building my 1/32 P-40B, since I almost always model "everything closed", once I found a way to secure the exhausts, I was left with a detailed V-1710 engine "kit", which was entered and built through our Aeroengines! GB. Should you wish to read the full build review, you may do so by visiting my beloved site Modelingmadness:
https://modelingmadness.com/review/misc/pen1710.htm

Happy Modelling!

Reader reactions:
10  Awesome 1 

39 responses

  1. Absolutely great result on this Allison, Spiros @fiveten
    Thanks for sharing the technical background of this important engine in aviation history.

  2. The reason the Allison was able to be used to replace those no-longer-available engines is because - like them - it was based on the Hispano-Suiza 12Y engine, the rights to which Allison purchased in the 1930s.

    Nice work on this, @fiveten.

  3. That's definitely a nice adaption of unwanted kit parts. I like the detailing and the comprehensive history. I also like the repurposing of the Matchbox display stand!

  4. Good idea to display the engine separately, Spiros, interesting history, and lots of lovely metallic colours. It must have made a terrific sound when used in a dragster.

  5. Very informative article , and good looking allison engine.

  6. Good idea Spiros.

  7. Love it.Can look at aeroengines all day!

  8. Looks good, Spiros!

  9. Nice build Spiros, @fiveten. Interesting little tidbit, an Allison V-1710 was used in post war 1946 to to power an Unlimited Hydroplane boat.

  10. Nice use of spare parts to put together and make an interesting display Spiros, @fiveten. The ability to mass produce cheaply, quickly and adapt easily seems to be something lost in today's technology driven economy. Todays aircraft are incredible, but excedingly complex and expensive as are the powerplants that power them. Good job Spiros.

  11. @fiveten - Very cool information Spiros. I am amazed at how Allison was able to increase quality and decrease price. Great writeup and fantastic modeling, painting and weathering!

  12. Oh, now that is cool, Spiros @fiveten! 👍 Great work my friend! I bought this Allison aftermarket set back in the mid-1960s. Pieces of it still come to light in the car parts stash from time to time. 😁

    https://www.oldmodelkits.com/index.php?detail=14994

  13. Two kits in one! Good idea and interesting article Thanks to the availability and adaptability of Allison engines we can see a few historic aircraft still flying that might not be otherwise.

  14. Fantastic idea and build! Nice narrative as well.

  15. Very fine engine!

  16. A really nice replica of the Allison engine. You provide a thorough understanding of your subject matter, as well.

  17. Hello my friend Spiros @fiveten
    Thanks for adding the technical background of this great engine in all aviation history.
    A very creative and detailed work too!

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