Renault 12F

The Renault 12F is a family of liquid-cooled 22 L (1,300 cu in) 50 deg V12 aircraft engines that saw widespread use during World War I and the 1920s.

12F series engines were built in Renault's factories in France, Russia and the United Kingdom.

The engines were progressively improved with the introduction of aluminum pistons allowing for increased power and reduced weight.

These progressive improvements eventually lead to the development of a 300 hp (220 kW) variant which was designated as the 12Fe by the Service Technique de l'Aéronautique (STAe) while being known, and marketed, as the 300 CV (cheval-vapeur) (French: "horsepower”) by Renault.

The crankshaft is carried on four plain bearings with master-and-slave connecting rods allowing corresponding cylinders in each row to be arranged directly opposite each other.

The engines were progressively improved with the introduction of aluminum pistons allowing for increased power output and reduced weight.

Brochure image of an early 12F variant with radial starter motor
Breguet 5 powered by a single Renault 12Fb engine (1916)
Farman F.70 airliner powered by a single Renault 12Fe engine (1922)