The Rolls-Royce Crecy by D. Birch, A Nahum and R.W. Foster-Pegg

The Rolls-Royce Crecy represented a major departure from "traditional" piston aero engine design for Rolls-Royce in response to the need for high performance engines for fighter aircraft during World War II. From the start it was to be a technical challenge as it was not only a sleeve-valve design, but also operated on a 2-stroke cycle rather than 4-stroke. Rolls-Royce had already experimented with sleeve valves using a converted Kestrel engine before the war, engaging the renowned Harry Ricardo to oversee the project. Other offshoots included looking at compression ignition with diesel as a fuel. Development continued through the thirties and a V12, 2-stroke engine concept was devised and called the Crecy and was on the drawing boards as the Battle of Britain was fought out. In the end, the advent of the gas turbine killed the project and none ever flew, but six Crecy were built and tested. The knowledge gained showed there was enormous potential from the 2-stroke design, but just too late.

First published in 1994 but now offered as a 2014 second edition with updates, this book gives a comprehensive view of the story of 2-stroke sleeve valve development culminating in the Crecy. A must for those with a passion for aero-engines and aviation. Published by The Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust as part of our Historical Series. (187 pages with 63 b/w photographs and illustrations).

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