Continental Hyper XI-1430-15, Inverted V-12 Engine

Type: Reciprocating, V-type, 12 cylinders, water-cooled

Power rating: 2,386 kW (3,200 hp) at 3,200 rpm

Displacement: 23.4 L (1,426 cu in.)

Bore and Stroke: 140 mm (5.5 in.) x 127 mm (5 in.)

Weight: 732.6 kg (1,615 lb)

In 1932, the Army contracted with Continental for the engineering and development of a cylinder with high specific power. Using the resulting Hyper No. 1 cylinder, the Air Corps instructed Continental in 1934 to develop what became the horizontally opposed O-1430 to be buried in the wings of large aircraft to improve streamlining for higher speed. However, the Air Corps decided in 1938 that 746 kW (1,000 hp) engines were obsolete for bombers.

Although fighter wings were too thin for a submerged installation, the Air Corps instructed Continental in 1939 to drop the 0-1430 and begin work on the inverted vee I-1430 for improved visibility. But following development problems, it was decided in 1943 that the engine could not possibly be used in the war, and only eight engines were built for experimental use. This Continental I-1430-11 was test flown in a modified Lockheed P-38 testbed aircraft.