de Havilland Gipsy I

1926, Stratosphere Chamber, On long term display

Designed by Brooklands racing driver Frank Halford and built by the De Havilland Aircraft Co, this aero-engine was developed to replace the Renault-based ADC Cirrus engines previously used in the De Havilland Moth biplanes.

The Gipsy engine went on to be fitted to large numbers of aircraft, including the Blackburn Bluebird and the Avro Avian. However, it is most famous for powering the De Havilland Gipsy Moths flown on record flights to Australia by Amy Johnson and Jean Batten.

This engine was fitted to a replica Blériot Experimental 2c biplane constructed in the 1970s for the BBC television series ‘Wings’. Its history before this is unknown.

Loaned by Epping Forrest District Museum Service (L216)

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Type: Air-cooled inline piston engine

Cylinders: 4

Power: 98bhp (73 kW)

Size: 318 in3 (5.2 L)

Bore: 4.5 in (114 mm)

Stroke: 5 in (128 mm)