Tour the Demoiselle
Detroit Aero Engine
On this example of the Demoiselle #20, this engine is called
a Detroit Aero Engine. And it came out the same time as this
Demoiselle from 1909. In France they would have used Darracq
aircraft engines. They would have used another example, too, the
Dutheil-Chalmers, I believe is how it was pronounced, both about the
same power, both about the same weight. But if you were to build a
Demoiselle in America, well, this is the type of engine you
would have put on it—the 1909 Detroit Aero Engine. It had an
rpm of about 1,200 rpm, which is common for most of the engines of
that period. It only weighed 110 pounds. It was air-cooled and
provided power at about 30 or 35 horsepower.