| Peugeot 8Aa | |
|---|---|
| |
| Peugeot 8Aa aero-engine. Displayed at the national air and space museum of France. | |
| Type | Water-cooled V8 aero engine |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Peugeot |
| First run | 1916 |
| Major applications | Voisin VIII |
| Number built | 1,054 (1916-1917) |
The Peugeot 8Aa, or L112, is a water-cooled V8 aircraft engine that equipped the Voisin VIII bombers and escort fighters built during World War I.
The engine was designed to meet a 1915 request from the French armament ministry for aero engines capable long endurance at high altitudes. Peugeot responded to the ministry’s request with a design based on their successful racing car engines. Orders were placed for 250 engines in late 1915 even though the first engine did not complete its 50-hour acceptance test until February 1916.
For an engine of its time period, the Peugeot 8Aa engine has many innovative features, including double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a dry sump. The engine was noted for having exceptional fuel efficiency, but suffered from poor mechanical reliability. Frequent engine failures lead to the decision, taken in May 1917, to withdraw the Peugeot powered Voisin VIIIs from front line service.