Jacobs Aircraft Engine Company Overview and History

The Jacobs Aircraft Engine Company has a rich history that spans over a century. Founded in 1892 by Edwin P. Jacobs, the company started out as a small machine shop in Buffalo, New York.

The company's early success was largely due to its innovative approach to engine design, which focused on creating more efficient and powerful engines. This approach led to the development of the first successful aircraft engine in 1913.

In the early 20th century, the Jacobs Aircraft Engine Company began to gain recognition for its high-quality engines, which were used in a variety of aircraft applications. The company's engines were known for their reliability and durability, making them a popular choice among pilots and aircraft manufacturers.

The Jacobs Aircraft Engine Company continued to innovate and expand its product line throughout the 20th century, producing engines for a wide range of aircraft, from small trainers to large commercial airliners.

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The Jacobs Aircraft Engine Company was known for producing high-performance engines, and one of their notable specifications was a power output of 225 hp at 2,000 rpm at sea level.

Their engines were designed to be efficient, with a specific power of 0.32 hp/cu-in and a power-to-weight ratio of 0.48 hp/lb.

Here's a comparison of their engine with some of their contemporaries:

Their engine design was classified under the United States military piston aircraft engine designation system, specifically as an inverted-V inline engine.

The 1944 Jacobs 7-Cylinder Air-Cooled Radial Engine was a remarkable piece of machinery. It featured steel cylinders with aluminum-alloy cylinder heads.

The engine's power output ranged between 200 and 350 horsepower, making it a reliable choice for smaller aircraft. Jacobs Aircraft Engine Company began manufacturing its R-755, a seven-cylinder, air-cooled, radial aircraft engine, in 1933.

The engine was nicknamed "Shakin' Jake" and "Shaky Jake" due to its tendency to vibrate at lower rpm's. This was a common issue with early radial engines, but Jacobs worked to improve the design.

The Jacobs seven-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, the Model L-5 (or R-755 as designated for military purposes), was introduced in 1936. This military version of the engine was installed in several aircraft, including the Waco PG-3/A and the Cessna AT-17A/B/C.

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During World War II, Jacobs built almost 15,000 examples of the R-755 at their factory in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. This was a testament to the company's ability to meet wartime demand.

The engine powered a number of significant aircraft, including the Boeing-Stearman PT-18 Kaydet training biplane and the Cessna AT-17 Bobcat, a twin-engine trainer.