,
Dayton, Ohio (Maj. Robert L. Bryant, Jr., director); Science Museum,
London, England (Lt. Comdr. (E) W. J. Tuck, Royal Navy). The preparation
of this paper could not have been accomplished without the aid of the
National Air Museum of the Smithsonian Institution and the help of
Philip S. Hopkins, director, and Paul E. Garber, head curator and
historian.

Foreword

In this second number of the _Smithsonian Annals of Flight_, Robert B.
Meyer Jr., curator and head of the flight propulsion division, tells the
story of the first oil-burning engine to power an airplane, the Packard
diesel engine of 1928, now in the collections of the National Air
Museum.

The author's narrative, well illustrated with drawings and photographs,
provides a historical background for the development of the engine, and
a technical description that includes specifications and details of
performance. It also contains comments from men and women who flew
planes powered by the Packard diesel. The author concludes with an
analysis of the engine's advantages and disadvantages.

PHILIP S. HOPKINS

_Director, National Air Museum_

30 July 1964

Introduction

On display in the National Air Museum, Smithsonian Institution, is the
first oil-burning engine to power an airplane. Its label reads: "Packard
Diesel Engine--1928--This first compression-ignition engine to power an
airplane developed 225 hp at 1950 revolutions per minute. It was
designed under the direction of L. M. Woolson. In 1931, a production
example of this engine powered a Bellanca airplane to an 84 hour and 33
minute nonrefueled duration record which has never been
equalled.--Weight/power ratio: 2.26 lb per hp--Gift of Packard Motor Car
Co."

[Illustration: Figure 1 (left).--Front view of first Packard diesel,
1928. Note hoop holding cylinders in place and absence of venturi
throttles. This engine was equipped with an air pressure starting
system. (Smithsonian photo A2388.)]

[Illustration: Figure 2 (right).--Left side view of first Packard
diesel, 1928. Heywood starter (air) fitting shown on the head of the
next to lowest cylinder. (Smithsonian photo A2388C.)]

This revolutionary engine was created in the short time of one year.
Within two years of its introduction in 1928, airplane diesel engines
were being tested in England by Rolls-Royce, in France by Panhard, in
Germany by Junkers, in Italy by Fiat, and in the United States by
Guiberson. Packard had d