Daimler-Benz DB 601





The Daimler-Benz DB 601 was a German aircraft engine built during World War II. It was a liquid-cooled inverted V12, and powered the Messerschmitt Bf 109, Messerschmitt Bf 110, and many others. Approximately 19,000 601's were produced before it was replaced by the improved Daimler-Benz DB 605 in 1942.

The DB 601 was basically an improved DB 600 with direct fuel injection. Fuel injection required power to be taken off the drive shaft, but in return, improved low-RPM performance significantly and provided aerobatic performance in maneuvers where early versions of carburated engines like the British Rolls-Royce Merlin would lose power when the carburetor float bowl ran dry.

The 601's fuel injection provided a significant boost in performance which its competitor, the Junkers Jumo 210, did not match for some time. By the time the fuel-injected 211 arrived, the 601 had already cemented its place as the engine for high-performance designs like fighters, high-speed bombers, and similar roles. The 211 would be relegated to bombers and transport aircraft. In this respect, the 601 was the counterpart to the Merlin engine of roughly the same size and power.

The DB 601Aa was licence-built in Japan by Aichi as the Atsuta, by Kawasaki as the Ha40, and in Italy by Alfa Romeo as the R.A.1000 R.C.41-I Monsone.

Development
Based on the guidelines laid down by the German "Reichverkehrsministerium" (Reich Ministry of Transport), in 1930 Daimler-Benz began development of a new aero engine of the 30 L displacement class: a liquid-cooled inverted-vee 12-cylinder piston engine. This was designated F4, and by 1931 two prototypes were running on the test bench. These were followed by the improved F4B, which became the prototype for the DB 600.

In 1933, Daimler-Benz finally received a contract to develop its new engine and to build six examples of the DB 600. For the year after, the DB 600 was the only German aero engine in the 30-litre class. In total, 2,281 DB 600s were built.

The DB 601A-1 was a development of the DB 600 with mechanical direct fuel injection. Like all DB 601s, it had a 33.9 litre displacement. The first DB 601A-1 prototype, designated as F4E, was test run in 1935, and an order for 150 engines was placed in February 1937.

Serial production began in November 1937, and ended in 1943, after 19,000 examples of all types were produced.

Variants

 * DB 601 A-1
 * Up to 1,100 PS at sea level with 2,400 rpm, up to 1,020 PS at 2,400 rpm and 4500 m altitude, B4 fuel


 * DB 601 Aa
 * Up to 1,175 PS at sea level with 2,500 rpm, up to 1,100 PS at 2,400 rpm and 3700 m altitude, B4 fuel


 * DB 601 B-1:Same as DB601 A-1 for use in Messerschmitt Bf 110 and/or bomber aircraft (different prop/engine ratio, 1:1.88 instead of 1:1.55)
 * DB 601 Ba:Similar to Aa for use in Messerschmitt Bf 110 and/or bomber aircraft (different prop/engine ratio, 1:1.88 instead of 1:1.55)
 * DB 601 M
 * For use in the Heinkel He 100D 1,175 PS


 * DB 601 N
 * Up to 1,175 PS at sea level and at 4900 m altitude with 2,600 rpm, C3 fuel
 * Up to 1,270 PS at 2100 m altitude with 2,600 rpm


 * DB 601 P
 * Same as DB 601 N for use in Messerschmitt Bf 110 and/or bomber aircraft (different prop/engine ratio, 1:1.88 instead of 1:1.55)


 * DB 601 E
 * Up to 1,350 PS at sea level with 2,700 rpm, up to 1,320 PS with 2.700 rpm at 4800 m altitude, B4 fuel
 * Up to 1,450 PS at 2100 m altitude with 2,700 rpm


 * DB 601 F/G
 * Same as DB 601 E for use in Messerschmitt Bf 110, Messerschmitt Me 210 and/or bomber aircraft (different prop/engine ratio,1:1.875 (601F), 1:2.06 (601G) instead of 1:1.685)


 * DB 606 A/B
 * Project initiated in February 1937, to "twin-up" two DB 601As or Es coupled to work on a single propeller shaft with all-up weight of some 1.5 tonnes; for use in Heinkel He 119 (one DB 606) and Messerschmitt Me 261 (twin DB 606) designs, where they worked well in their prototype airframes; saw first combat use with early Heinkel He 177As - 2,700 PS (1,986 kW) at sea level with a mirror-imaged starboard component engine supercharger. Derided as "welded-together engines" by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring in August 1942, from the problems they caused with engine fires in the He 177A during service from their inadequate installation design.


 * Alfa-Romeo R.A.1000 R.C.41-I Monsone:Licence built by Alfa Romeo in Italy
 * Aichi Atsuta:Licence built by Aichi in Japan
 * Kawasaki Ha40:Licence built by Kawasaki in Japan

Applications

 * DB 601
 * Arado Ar 240
 * CANSA FC.20
 * Dornier Do 215
 * Heinkel He 100
 * Henschel Hs 130A-0
 * Kawasaki Ki-60
 * Messerschmitt Bf 109
 * Messerschmitt Bf 110
 * Messerschmitt Me 210
 * Savoia-Marchetti SM.88


 * DB 606
 * Heinkel He 119
 * Heinkel He 177A-1 and A-3
 * Junkers Ju 288C
 * Messerschmitt Me 261

Licensees

 * Aichi Atsuta
 * Aichi M6A
 * Yokosuka D4Y
 * Alfa Romeo R.A.1000 R.C.41
 * Macchi C.202
 * Reggiane Re.2001
 * Kawasaki Ha40
 * Kawasaki Ki-61