The Piaggio Stella P.VII was the first P series aircraft engine produced by
Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A. Based on its experience license-producing the
Gnome-Rhône 7K, Piaggio sold the engine to be used on a wide range of Italian aircraft before and during
World War II, including the record-breaking
Caproni Ca.133.
Development
Having built engines under licence from
Gnome et Rhône, Piaggio designed a seven-cylinder radial using the same principles.[1] The engine, named P.VII for its seven cylinders, was one in a series of radial engines produced by Piaggio initially named Stella, meaning star.[2] The engine was first run in 1933 and was produced in many models.[3] One notable version was the P.VII Z which was fitted with a floatless Piaggio AS80 carburettor for aerobatic flight. It powered the Caproni Ca.133 flown by
Renato Donati that, in 1933, broke the record for the longest duration in inverted flight.[2]
Variants
P.VII C.15
Supercharged, rated at 331 kW (444 hp) at 1,500 m (4,900 ft); first flew 1933
P.VII C.16
Supercharged, rated at 338 kW (453 hp) at 1,600 m (5,200 ft); first flew 1934
P.VII C.16/35
P.VII C.35
Supercharged, rated at 338 kW (453 hp) at 3,500 m (11,500 ft); first flew 1935
P.VII C.40
Supercharged, rated at 287 kW (385 hp) at 4,000 m (13,000 ft); first flew 1935
P.VII C.45 / 2v
Two speed supercharged, rated at 287 kW (385 hp) at 4,500 m (14,800 ft); first flew 1935
P.VII R.C.10
Supercharged and geared, rated at 1,000 m (3,300 ft).
P.VII R.C.35
Supercharged and geared, rated at 368 kW (493 hp) at 3,500 m (11,500 ft); first flew 1938
P.VII R.C.45
Supercharged and geared, rated at 287 kW (385 hp) at 4,500 m (14,800 ft) first flew 1935
P.VII Z
Normally aspirated, designed for acrobatic aircraft, rated at 272 kW (365 hp), first flew 1933