View source for De Havilland Gipsy Major

{{Short description|1930s British piston aircraft engine}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{{lowercase|de Havilland Gipsy Major}}
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{{infobox aero engine
 |name=Gipsy Major
 |image= File:DH Gipsy Major 31 DHAM.jpg   
 |caption=Gipsy Major 31 engine on display at the [[de Havilland Aircraft Museum]]
 |engine_type=[[Reciprocating engine|Piston]] [[Inline engine (aviation)|inline]] [[Aircraft engine|aero-engine]]
 |manufacturer=[[de Havilland Engine Company]]
 |first_run=1932
 |major_applications=[[de Havilland Tiger Moth]] <br> [[de Havilland Canada Chipmunk]]
 |number_built = 14,615
 |developed_from = [[de Havilland Gipsy]]
 |developed_into = [[de Havilland Gipsy Six]]
 |variants_with_their_own_articles =
}}

The '''de Havilland Gipsy Major''' or '''Gipsy IIIA''' is a four-cylinder, air-cooled, inverted inline [[engine]] used in a variety of light [[aircraft]] produced in the 1930s, including the famous [[de Havilland Tiger Moth|Tiger Moth]] [[biplane]]. Many Gipsy Major engines still power vintage aircraft types.

Engines were produced by de Havilland in the UK and by the Australian arm of the company, [[de Havilland Australia]], the latter modifying the design to use [[Imperial units|imperial measures]] rather than the original [[Metric system|metric measurements]].{{cn|date=February 2020}}

==Design and development==
The engine was a slightly modified '''Gipsy III''', which was effectively a [[de Havilland Gipsy]] engine modified to run inverted so that the cylinders pointed downwards below the [[crankcase]]. The Major was also bored-out (118&nbsp;mm from 114&nbsp;mm) compared to the Gipsy III, increasing displacement from 5 L to 6.1 L.

The inverted configuration allowed the [[Propeller (aircraft)|propeller]] shaft to be kept in a high position without having the cylinders blocking the pilot's forward view over the nose of the aircraft.<ref>Bransom 1991, p. 28.</ref>

One initial disadvantage of the inverted configuration was the high oil consumption (up to four pints per hour) requiring regular refills of the external oil tank; this problem improved over time with the use of modified [[piston ring]]s. First built in 1932, total production of all Gipsy Major versions was 14,615 units.

===Further development===
In 1934, when [[Geoffrey de Havilland]] needed a more powerful engine for his twin-engined transport aircraft, the four-cylinder Gipsy Major was further developed into the 200&nbsp;hp six-cylinder [[de Havilland Gipsy Six|Gipsy Six]].<ref>Lumsden 2003, p. 142.</ref> In 1937 even more power was needed for the new [[De Havilland Albatross|D.H.91 Albatross]] four-engined transatlantic mailplane, and so two Gipsy Six cylinder banks were combined to form one {{convert|525|hp|abbr=on}} [[de Havilland Gipsy Twelve|Gipsy Twelve]] 12-cylinder inverted [[V-engine|Vee]].<ref>Lumsden 2003, p. 136.</ref> In military service, the Gipsy Twelve became known as the [[De Havilland Gipsy King|Gipsy King]] and the Gipsy Six the [[De Havilland Gipsy Queen|Gipsy Queen]].

The advent of World War II cut short all civilian flying and after the war de Havilland was too busy concentrating on jet engines to put much energy into its piston engines. The Gipsy did not go without a fight though. In Canada the Gipsy Major was the engine of choice for the [[de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk|DHC1 Chipmunk]] trainer, which replaced the Tiger Moth trainer in [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] service after the war. By then however, the Gipsy Major was eclipsed by the [[Blackburn Cirrus Major]] in Britain and the American [[Lycoming Engines|Lycoming]] and [[Continental Motors Company|Continental]] [[horizontally opposed engine]]s abroad. (In a twist of irony, the Blackburn itself was based on [[Frank Halford]]’s old [[ADC Cirrus]] engine; Blackburn had bought the licence in 1934).

In its final [[Supercharger|supercharged]] form, the Gipsy Major used in helicopter applications delivered 220&nbsp;hp (164&nbsp;kW).<ref>Lumsden 2003, p. 141.</ref>

By 1945 the Gipsy Major had been cleared for a world record 1,500 hours [[time between overhaul]] (TBO),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1946/1946%20-%200165.html|title=''Flight'', 7 June 1945, p. 611.|website=flightglobal.com|access-date=17 September 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827084322/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1945/1945%20-%201117.html|archive-date=27 August 2016}}</ref> surpassing its previously held world record of 1,260 hours TBO achieved in 1943. 1,000 hours TBO had earlier been achieved in 1938.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1943/1943%20-%200108.html|title=''Flight'', 14 January 1943, p. 44.|website=flightglobal.com|access-date=17 September 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827083755/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1943/1943%20-%200108.html|archive-date=27 August 2016}}</ref>

==Variants==
[[File:DHGipsyMajor50.JPG|thumb|right|[[Supercharger|Supercharged]] Gipsy Major 50]]
;Gipsy Major I:
;Gipsy Major IC:Higher [[compression ratio]] (6:1) and maximum RPM for racing use.
;Gipsy Major ID:Fuel pump added, plus screened ignition harness and priming system.
;Gipsy Major IF:Aluminium [[cylinder head]]s, 5.25:1 compression ratio.
;Gipsy Major II:Variable pitch propeller
;Gipsy Major 7:Military version of Gipsy Major 1D, increased climb RPM.
;Gipsy Major 8:Sodium cooled exhaust valves, cartridge starter for DHC Chipmunk.
;Gipsy Major 10:Electric starter option.
;Gipsy Major 30:Major redesign, bore and stroke increased. 6.5:1 compression ratio.
;Gipsy Major 50:Supercharged. 197&nbsp;hp.
;Gipsy Major 200:Designed as a light helicopter engine. 200&nbsp;hp.
;Gipsy Major 215:Turbo-supercharged helicopter engine. 220&nbsp;hp.
;[[Alfa Romeo 110]]:Alfa Romeo licence production/derivative
;de Havilland L-375-1:US military designation for the Gipsy Major I
;IAR 4-G1:[[Industria Aeronautică Română|IAR]] licence produced in Romania

==Applications==
[[File:DHGipsyMajorengineDrover.JPG|thumb|Gipsy Major in the centre or nose position on a [[de Havilland Australia DHA-3 Drover|DHA-3 Drover]]]]
''Application list from Lumsden unless otherwise noted.''<ref>Lumsden 2003, pp.139-141</ref><ref>Note that the Gipsy Major may not be the main powerplant for these types</ref>
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
* [[Airspeed Ferry]]
* [[AISA I-115]]
* [[Arrow Active]]
* [[Auster Aiglet]]
* [[Auster Autocar]]
* [[Auster Autocrat]]
* [[Beagle Terrier]]
* [[Boulton Paul P.92]]
* [[British Aircraft Cupid]]
* [[British Aircraft Eagle]]
* [[British Aircraft Double Eagle]]
* [[Blackburn B-2]]
* [[Chrislea Super Ace]]
* [[Comper Mouse]]
* [[Comper Streak]]
* [[Comper Swift]]
* [[De Bruyne Snark]]
* [[de Havilland Dragon]]
* [[de Havilland Dragonfly]]
* [[de Havilland Australia DHA-3 Drover]]
* [[De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk|DHC-1 Chipmunk]]
* [[de Havilland Fox Moth]]
* [[de Havilland Hornet Moth]]
* [[de Havilland Leopard Moth]]
* [[de Havilland DH.60 Moth|de Havilland Moth Major]]
* [[de Havilland Puss Moth]]
* [[de Havilland Tiger Moth]]
* [[de Havilland T.K.2]]
* [[de Havilland T.K.4]]
* [[Elliotts Newbury Eon]]
* [[Fairey Primer]]
* [[Foster Wikner Wicko]]
* [[General Aircraft Cygnet|General Aircraft Cygnet Major]]
* [[General Aircraft Monospar]]
* [[Handley Page Manx]]
* [[Hirtenberg HS.9]]
* [[Ikarus Aero 2]]
* [[Koolhoven F.K.43]]
* [[Koolhoven FK.47]]<ref>Wesselink 1982 p.84</ref>
* [[Koolhoven F.K.54]]<ref>Wesselink 1982 p.115</ref>
* [[Koolhoven F.K.49]]
* [[LKOD KOD-1]]
* [[Miles Aerovan]]
* [[Miles Falcon Major]]
* [[Miles Gemini]]
* [[Miles Hobby]]
* [[Miles Hawk Trainer]]
* [[Miles M.35 Libellula]]
* [[Miles M.39B Libellula]]
* [[Miles Magister]]
* [[Miles Mercury]]
* [[Miles Messenger]]
* [[Miles M.30|Miles Minor]]
* [[Miles Monarch]]
* [[Miles Sparrowhawk]]
* [[Miles Whitney Straight]]
* [[Percival Gull|Percival Gull Major]]
* [[Reid and Sigrist R.S.3|Reid and Sigrist Desford]]
* [[Rogožarski SIM-X]]
* [[RWD-5]]bis
* [[RWD-19]]
* [[Saab 91 Safir]]
* [[SAI KZ IV]]
* [[Saunders-Roe Skeeter]]
* [[Spartan Cruiser]]
* [[Stampe SV.4]]
* [[Thruxton Jackaroo]]
* [[VL Viima]]
}}

==Surviving engines==
Many Gipsy Major engines remain in service today worldwide, in the United Kingdom alone approximately 175 [[de Havilland Tiger Moth]]s were noted on the [[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|Civil Aviation Authority]] register in September 2011 although not all of these aircraft were airworthy.<ref>[http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=60&pagetype=65&appid=1&mode=summary&aircrafttype=DH82 G-INFO, UK CAA database - DH.82] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315224039/http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=60&pagetype=65&appid=1&mode=summary&aircrafttype=DH82 |date=15 March 2012 }} Retrieved: 10 September 2011</ref>

==Engines on display==
Examples of the Gipsy Major are on display at the following museums:
* [[de Havilland Aircraft Museum]]
* [[Fleet Air Arm Museum]]
* [[Shuttleworth Collection]]
* [[Royal Air Force Museum Cosford]]

==Specifications (Gipsy Major I)==
[[File:DeHavilland Gipsy Major.jpg|thumb|right|Gipsy Major on work stand]]
{{pistonspecs
|<!-- If you do not understand how to use this template, please ask at [[Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Aircraft]] -->
<!-- Please include units where appropriate (main comes first, alt in parentheses). If data are missing, leave the parameter blank (do not delete it). For additional lines, end your alt units with </li> and start a new, fully formatted line with <li> -->
|type=4-cylinder air-cooled [[straight engine|inverted inline]] piston aircraft engine
|ref=''Jane's.''<ref>Jane's 1989, p. 276-277</ref>
|bore=4.646 in (118 mm)
|stroke=5.512 in (140 mm)
|displacement=373.7 in<sup>3</sup> (6.124 L)
|length=48.3 in (1227 mm)
|diameter=
|width= 20.0 in (508 mm)
|height= 29.6 in (752 mm)
|weight=300 lb (136 kg) Mk 1F to 322 lb (146 kg) Mk 1D
|valvetrain=OHV
|supercharger=
|turbocharger=
|fuelsystem= Downdraught [[Claudel-Hobson|Hobson]] A.I.48 H3M (Mk 1C and Mk 7) or H1M (others)
|fueltype=
|oilsystem=Dry sump, gear-type pump
|coolingsystem=Air-cooled
|power=122 hp at 2,100 rpm (cruise), 145 hp (108 kW) at 2,550 rpm (1 minute max)
|specpower=0.39 hp/in<sup>3</sup> (17.6 kW/L)
|compression= 5.25:1 (Mk 1 and 1F) or 6.0:1 (others)
|fuelcon=6.5 to 6.75 gph (28.4 to 30.7 L/h) at 2,100 rpm
|specfuelcon=
|oilcon=1.75 pints (0.99 L) per hour.
|power/weight=0.48 hp/lb (0.78 kW/kg)
}}

==See also==
{{Listen
 |filename     =Stanton Special Cropduster (1953).ogg
 |title        =Supercharged Gipsy Major in 1953 Stanton Special Cropduster race car
 |type         =sound
 |style        =float:right}}
{{aircontent
<!-- other related articles that have not already linked: -->
|see also=
* [[de Havilland Aircraft Museum]]
* [[Frank Halford]]

<!-- designs which were developed into or from this aircraft: -->
|related=
* [[de Havilland Gipsy]]
<!-- aircraft that are of similar role, era, and capability this design: -->
|similar aircraft=

<!-- relevant lists that this aircraft appears in: -->
|lists=
* [[List of aircraft engines]]

<!-- For aircraft engine articles.  Engines that are of similar to this design: -->
|similar engines=
* [[Alfa Romeo 110]]
* [[Argus As 8]]
* [[Blackburn Cirrus Major]]
* [[Elizalde Tigre IV]]
* [[Hirth HM 504]]
* [[Lycoming O-290]]
* [[Menasco Pirate]]
* [[Walter Major 4]]

<!-- See [[WP:Air/PC]] for more explanation of these fields. -->
}}

== References ==

===Notes===
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
* Bransom, Alan. ''The Tiger Moth Story, Fourth Edition''. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 1991. {{ISBN|978-0-906393-19-2}}.
* ''Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II''. London. Studio Editions Ltd, 1989. {{ISBN|978-0-517-67964-7}}
* Lumsden, Alec. ''British Piston Engines and their Aircraft''. Marlborough, Wiltshire: Airlife Publishing, 2003. {{ISBN|978-1-85310-294-3}}.
* {{cite book |title= British Light Aeroplanes|last=Ord-Hume|first=Arthur W.J.G.| year=2000|publisher=GMS Enterprises |location=Peterborough |isbn=978-1-870384-76-6 }}
{{refend}}
* {{cite book |title= De Nederlandse vliegtuigen |last1=Wesselink|first1=Theo|last2= Postma|first2=Thijs|year=1982|publisher=Romem  |location=Haarlem |isbn=90-228-3792-0}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/engine-de-havilland-gipsy-major/ Royal Air Force Museum - Gipsy Major]

{{De Havilland aeroengines}}
{{US military piston aeroengines}}

[[Category:De Havilland aircraft engines|Gipsy Major]]
[[Category:Air-cooled aircraft piston engines]]
[[Category:1930s aircraft piston engines]]
[[Category:Inverted aircraft piston engines]]
[[Category:Straight-four engines]]