Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major

The Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major is a British five-cylinder (later seven-cylinder), air-cooled, radial engine for aircraft, designed and built by Armstrong Siddeley and first run in 1928. It developed 140 horsepower (104 kW). In Royal Air Force use the seven-cylinder version was known as the Civet I. The Feliform names used are in line with company convention, the Genet and Civet both being large cat-like carnivores.

Genet Major I
The Genet Major 1 was a five-cylinder engine of 105 hp that was closely related to the Genet I but with increased bore and stroke.


 * Avro Avian
 * Avro 619
 * Avro 624
 * Avro 638 Club Cadet
 * Cierva C.19 Autogiro
 * Civilian Coupé
 * Saro Cutty Sark
 * Southern Martlet
 * Westland IV

Genet Major 1A (Civet I)
The Genet Major 1A (or Civet I in RAF service) was a seven-cylinder development of the Genet Major I, nominally rated at 145 hp.


 * ANBO V (upgrade)
 * Avro Avian
 * Avro Cadet
 * Avro Rota
 * Cierva C.30A Autogiro
 * RWD-6 (not specified 7-cylinder Genet Major sub-type)
 * Saro Cutty Sark
 * SEA-1
 * Westland Wessex

Genet Major III
As Genet Major IA but with cylinders using cast rocker boxes.

Genet Major IV
A geared propeller drive version of the Genet Major IA, 160 hp.


 * ANBO 51

Surviving engines
An Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major powers Southern Martlet (G-AAYX) which is owned and operated by the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden and flies at home air displays throughout the summer months. An Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major 1A engine also powers the only surviving Civilian Aircraft Co.Ltd. 1931 vintage Civilian Coupe 02 monoplane (G-ABNT), which is airworthy and owned and operated by Shipping and Airlines Ltd based at Biggin Hill Airport, England.

Engines on display

 * An Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major IA is on display at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford.
 * An Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major IV can be seen in Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków.
 * Aviation Heritage Museum (Western Australia)