> After spending millions and millions on rotary research then

selling its

     > North American rights to the Wankel for a substantial loss,

Curtis Wright's

     > website has a two paragraph summary in its history section -

featuring

     > Mazda's success!
     > You can see it here:
     > http://www.curtisswright.com/history/Default.asp#7
     >
     > Kevin in Denver

I did not see in the CW website where the Wankel rights were sold at a

substantial loss. Do you know if this is in fact true? I don't know any of
the numbers, but I do know that CW derived

substantial revenues from licensing their rotary technology to many

companies in the 1960s and 1970s. There were also several substantial
government contracts that funded various development

programs. I don't know the terms of the sale to Deere and Company in the

1980s, perhaps you have this information? I do know that CW never intended
to produce rotary engines other than for research

purposes. Their goal (which was effectively realized) was to derive

revenue from licensing. Perhaps also to keep their name in the news.

Jon

Hey Jon, How is it going. Long time no hear from. Is the RX8 helping your

Rotary Power

Marine business?

Paul Lamar

Kevin & Kim wrote:

I don't know what a "substantial loss" actually adds up to.
Back in 2002, I was convinced a Subaru engine was perfect for a homebuilt -
until I went to Oshkosh.  That's when I "discovered" the rotary.  When I
came home, I started reading everything I could get my hands on about the
rotary and went through my library like a vacuum.
I think the story of Curtiss Wright selling to John Deere for a substantial
loss was found in "The Wankel Rotary Engine: A History" by John B. Hege
(2001).  I may have read it on the internet.
I don't know any of the details except for what I've read.  Any first hand
accounts would certainly be interesting.
Kevin in Denver

 
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