Potez 6D-02. Made in France with 240 HP. 8.8 L (2530 RPM) from 1948

The Potez 6D is a French six cylinder inverted inline aircraft engine put into production after World War II in normal and supercharged versions. Unsupercharged, it produced a take-off power of 179 kW (240 hp) at 2,530 rpm.

In the 1930s Potez planned a series of new engines to replace their Anzani-derived radial engines. The Potez 4D, a four-cylinder inverted inline engine ran before World War II but did not reach production until the late 1940s, when it was joined by another inverted inline, the six cylinder 6D, and an eight-cylinder inverted-V, the Potez 8D. The D-series engines had much in common, most obviously sharing pistons and cylinders, with the same stroke, bore and valve gear. The inlines also shared connecting rods and lubrication systems and were offered in normally aspirated or supercharged versions.

6D-02 version

Similar to 6D-30A without supercharger and 2x Hobson A1.55/j downdraught carburettors – 179 kW (240 hp) at 2,530 rpm.

Manufacturer: Société de Avions et Moteurs Henry Potez

Major applications: Morane-Saulnier Alcyon

Potez was a French aircraft manufacturer founded as Aéroplanes Henry Potez by Henry Potez at Aubervilliers in 1919. The firm began by refurbishing war-surplus SEA IV aircraft, but was soon building new examples of an improved version, the Potez SEA VII.

During the inter-war years, Potez built a range of small passenger aircraft and a series of military reconnaissance biplanes that were also licence-built in Poland. In 1933, the firm bought flying boat manufacturer CAMS.

The company was nationalized in 1936, following which it was merged with Chantiers aéronavals Étienne Romano, Lioré et Olivier, CAMS and SPCA in order to form the Société nationale des constructions aéronautiques du Sud-Est (SNCASE) on 1 February 1937.

Potez’s factories in Sartrouville and Méaulte were taken over by SNCAN and the Berre factory went to SNCASE.

After World War II, Potez was re-established as Société des Avions et Moteurs Henry Potez at Argenteuil but did not return to the prominence that the company enjoyed prior to nationalisation. In 1958, the company bought Fouga to form Potez Air-Fouga, but when Potez’s last design, the 840 (a small turboprop airliner) failed to attract customers, it was forced to close. The remaining assets were purchased by Sud Aviation in 1967.

Read more: History of engines with Martin Perez ...