engine design philosophy question

[John Beaman]

Is there any design advantage one way or the other by which a nation decided its piston engines would turn clock-wise or counter clock-wise? Or was it just a natural progression of the ways piston engines had started in that country originally?

Thanks

[ArtieBob]

IMHO, it makes no difference, either North or South of the equator.

Best regards,

Artie Bob

[n8452x]

the only difference is what rudder you step on taking off...

[fsbofk]

Although it probably was not a criteria to be considered in the design of an aircraft engine, the rotational direction of the propellor did have an effect on the design of pre-jet age aircraft carriers - most were built with the island located on the starboard (right) side of the ship so the torque from the rotating propellor would tend to pull a plane away from (to the left of) the island. Japan built 2 notable exceptions to that practice - Akagi and Hiryu.

[George Hopp]

Was this even a nationality thing? I was given to understand that the RR Merlin had right-hand drive, while the RR Griffon had left-hand drive. I have read that this was a bit of a shock to those who converted from the Merlin Spitfire to the Griffon Spitfire without being told about this difference.

[Tony Williams]

Some twin-engined planes had 'handed' engines which rotated in different directions, in order to remove torque effects.

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website and discussion forum