Maybach Mb.IV

Mb.IV
Maybach HS Lu on display at the Polish Aviation Museum
Type	water-cooled straight-six piston engine
National origin	Germany
Manufacturer	Maybach

The Maybach Mb.IV, originally designated Maybach HS, (only related to the Mb IVa by layout and size), was a straight-six piston engine of 200–240 hp (150–180 kW) output, originally developed for use in airships. It was also used for large aircraft such as the Zeppelin-Lindau Rs.I seaplane.

Variants of the original HS engine included the Maybach HS D, Maybach HS K and Maybach HS Lu. The latter engine was used in the Zeppelin-type and Schütte-Lanz Type E airships.

Variants

Maybach HS

Company designation

Maybach HS D

A variant of the HS

Maybach HS K

Another variant of the HS

Maybach HS Lu

A high compression high altitude rated variant

Mb.IV

The Idflieg designation for production HS engines

Applications

• Aero A-24
• Heinkel HE 1
• LVG G.III
• Siemens-Schuckert L.I
• Zeppelin-Lindau Rs.I
• Zeppelin-Staaken VGO.I and VGO.II (1915)

Specifications (Mb.IV)

Data from German & Austro-Hungarian Aero Engines of WWI, Volume 3

General characteristics

• Type: Straight-six engine
• Bore: 150 mm (5.91 in)
• Stroke: 180 mm (7.09 in)
• Displacement: 19.08 L (1,164.33 cu in)
• Dry weight: 451 kg (994 lb)

Components

• Fuel system: Dual Maybach carburettors
• Fuel type: Gasoline
• Cooling system: Water-cooled

Performance

• Power output: 150 kW (200 hp) (rated power at sea level), 180 kW (240 hp) (maximum power at altitude)
• Compression ratio: 5.45:1

Bibliography

• Düsing, Michael (2022). German & Austro-Hungarian Aero Engines of WWI. Vol. 3. Aeronaut Books. ISBN 978-1-953201-53-9.