2-839-558 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Salmson aircraft engines, produced in France starting in 1913 by the Societe des Moteurs Salmson in Billancourt, Sein, were originally designed and patented by Canton and Unne, and also constructed in Great Britain by the Dudbridge Iron Works, Ltd. of Strand, Gloucester. Development work began in 1908, making it one of the earliest companies to produce radial power plants. Except for being water-cooled, the Salmson engines demonstrated the advantages of the radial concept, being the first successful large aircraft engines of this type. The Salmson Z-9 was the first of its series, and was produced during World War I. It primarily powered Salmson-built aircraft, principally the Salmson 2 SAL day reconnaissance bomber used by American squadrons in 1918. The French-built Z-9 also powered Rep, Voisin, Caudron, Farman, Hanriot, and Spad aircraft. The 9ZM, built by the English firm of Willans & Robinson, powered the Vickers F.B.27 Vimy prototype.