Bill Gunston takes a thorough look at the theory, history, development and application of piston aero engines, from those used by the Wright Brothers for their pioneering flights right up to the small engines fitted to micro lights today. Illustrated throughout.

This 1993 book is written by Bill Gunston, noted aviation writer and former Royal Air Force pilot. The topic is a daunting one where the author is challenged to chart the history of a technology yet make that history legible to readers who may not be technically oriented. Let's see how Gunston approaches that ideal.

This is a slim volume for the topic--a mere 222 pages. Gunston starts with an introduction that broadly outlines his topic, following that with two sections of text. Section I is the shorter of the two at 93 pages wherein Gunston explains how a piston aircraft engine works and is different from other types of internal combustion engines. There are four chapters in this section: Basic Principles; Engine Cycles; Engine Design I; and Engine Design II. Each chapter includes historical examples to highlight the author's discussion. Section I is where some readers' eyes may gloss over because of the scientific and engineering fundamentals are discussed, but this section is important to understand what is coming in Section II.

Sectin II is the history part of this book organized into another four chapters arranged chronologically: The Dawn of Powered Flight; Between the World Wars; The Big-engine Peak; and Piston Engines Today and Tomorrow. That last chapter also includes a contemporary (early 1990's) listing of general aircraft engines and manufacturers/designers, the last stronghold of the aircraft piston engine. Gunston follows Section II with a list of piston engine aircraft speed records, an appendix of abbreviations, a brief bibliography, and an index. The author is a noted writer of the old school who did not believe in footnotes/endnotess; however, Gunston's reputation is such that those appendages are not really needed.

This is a useful and needed primer for readers interested in this admittedly narrow-scoped topic. I wish I had read this book prior to my reading Whitney's "Vees for Victory", as what Gunston discusses would have clarified at least some of what Whitney was trying to say in his book. My Gunston schooling has already come in handy on my current read, Calum Douglas' "The Secret Horsepower Race". Gunston's work shows how the intricate interplay between mechanical engineering, materials science, fuels chemistry, and economics can make or break a particular concept, engine, or company. This book is profusely illustrated, which aids the reader in understandng the concepts and history in Gunston's text.

Overall this book is a must read for those with an interest in the history of technology and desires a basic understanding of aircraft internal combustion engines before embarking on deeper dives in more specialized aircraft engine books. ( )

Dated, But Still Relevant

Good solid, one volume introduction to the aircraft piston engine.
As a reference book, I strongly feel that this needs to be a standard reference within my library. This purchase is to replace a copy that was stolen.
The book is divided into two sections of 4 chapters each on development and design. The book is sufficiently if not lavishly illustrated.
If you're looking for development stories related to specific engines, you'll be disappointed with this volume. However, there are ancedotes that make the reading a little more interesting.
The writing is descriptive, approachable and easy to understand.
The bibliography is interesting in that Mr. Gunston used the books that have been considered to have set the standards on this subject over the years.
I won't 5 star this or my recommendations below. Too the best of my knowledge, there is no single introduction to the aircraft piston engine that is comprehensive or inexpensive. The closest may be "The Power to Fly", which is rare, expensive, and decidedly "pro-British" in it's stance.
I do recommend that following two volumes be purchased as companion volumes as part of an aviation library with coverage of aircraft piston engines:
1. Aircraft Propulsion: "A Review of the Evolution of Aircraft Piston Engines" by C. Fayette Taylor
Although dated, from a technical stand point this book provides a excellent treatise of engine development from a then contemporary standpoint
2. "History of Aircraft Piston Engines: Aircraft Piston Engines from the Manly Balzer to the Continental Tiara" by Herschel Smith
This book provides a overview of design as well as a survey of specific engines divided into groupings of era, size and type of engine. There is also a chapter on the "oddballs"
This is not a critical review. This is an excellent book and I recommend it. ( )

Nice historical overview of the evolution of piston engines. It explains the details pertaining to piston engine mechanics, in a physical perspective, and their evolution. One gets the feeling maybe some areas could be a bit more explored but it is, anyway, a very good overview of history and a good starting point to further investigate on this subject. ( )

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Contents
Introduction
Section 1: How it works
1. Basic principles
2. Engine cycles
3. Engine design 1
4. Engine design 2
Section 2: How engines developed
5. The dawn of powered flight
6. Between the world wars
7. The big-engine peak
8. Piston engines today and tomorrow
Piston engine aircraft speed
Appendix of abbreviations
Bibliography
Index ( )