Happy New Year to all!
In an Iraqi example you could always claim it is an oil cooler. :)
Curtiss Aeroplane Company and Curtiss Aero-EnginesIn the aftermath of the 1929 stock market crash, enforcement of US anti-trust laws regained some favour. As a token gesture, Washington disallowed the early merger of Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor and Wright Aeronautical companies. Accordingly, the new Curtiss-Wright company was dissolved. In January 1930, Curtiss reformed as the new Curtiss Aeroplane Company with a separate Curtiss Aero-Engines (CAE) division.
While Curtiss' aircraft order books were healthy, the aero-engine section had dwindled in anticipation of a shift to Wright air-cooled radial powerplants in future Curtiss aircraft. To make matter worse, Curtiss' won air-cooled H-1640
Chieftain proved a failure and the USAAC ceased development funding for the long-lived V-1570
Conqueror range of liquid-cooled V-12s. Curtiss Aero-Engines needed a shot in the arm.
Although dating back to 1924, the
Conqueror series offered the best chance of success. What was needed was a boost in power for the heavier V-12 to match the performance in the new breed of air-cooled radials. To this end, CAE developed the Curtiss V-1647
Curvet. The
Curvet was a
Conqueror evolution but the two engine types shared few parts -- freeing Curtiss from any USAAC claims to 'ownership' of the new design.
The
Curvet retained the
Conqueror's 6.3386-inch stroke but increased cylinder bore to 5.626-inches. Early versions of this 27 litre V-12 developed 850 hp giving them a comfortable performance edge over the contemporary Wright
Cyclone radials. Although not specifically aimed at the USAAC, Curtiss Aero-Engines adopted the 'designation' V-1647 to market their
Curvet V-12.
Even before the breakup of Curtiss-Wright, design work had begun on a low-winged monoplane development of Curtiss' successful
Hawk series of biplane fighters. Interest was expressed by several potential export customers and adaptation of the
Hawk airframe to its new Model 64 '
MonoHawk' configuration began in the summer of 1931. The first export sales were to Colombia and Boliva, both of which had chosen
Cyclone-engined
MonoHawks.
With an apparent export success on their hands, the Curtiss Board then made an uncoventional decision.
Cyclone-engined Model 64 production was brought to an abrupt halt. Henceforth, all
MonoHawks would be powered by Curtiss
Curvet liquid-cooled V-12s.
Continued backstory to follow ...