Rolls-Royce Kestrel IB

The Rolls-Royce Kestrel V-12 succeeded the Napier Lion as the most used aircraft engine. When fitted in the Hawker Hart it produced a bomber that was faster than fighter aircraft at the time.

The Rolls-Royce Kestrel was an inline V-12 internal combustion engine. Early variants featured pressurised liquid cooling and normal aspiration, later developments saw the addition of a supercharger. First produced in 1927, the Kestrel saw 40 variants during its development life which culminated in the Mark XXX of 1940. A later version of the Kestrel was even used in the prototype Messerschmitt Bf 109.