Object Details
Manufacturer
Pratt & Whitney
Physical Description
Type: Radial, 28 cylinders, 4 rows, aircooled
Power rating: 2,237 kW (3,000 hp) at 2,700 rpm
Displacement: 71.5 L (4,360 cu in)
Bore and Stroke: 146 mm (5.8 in.) x 152 mm (6.0 in.)
Weight: 1,538 kg (3,390 lb)
Summary
Pratt & Whitney Aircraft's last piston engine was the 28-cylinder R-4360. It was the largest piston engine that the company ever produced. The cylinders were in four rows, arranged in a spiral for better cooling. Later models developed 3207 kW (4,300 shp).
Although primarily known by its commercial designation as the Wasp Major, it mainly powered large American military aircraft, including late entry Boeing B-29s, Boeing B-50 and C-97, Douglas C-124, Fairchild C-119, and Convair B-36. It had only one well known civil application in the Boeing Stratocruiser, which was derived from the C-97 and B-50. The Wasp Major was a complex engine, with maintenance problems particularly significant in the B-36 that used six of these engines.
The R-4360-4 passed its military qualification test in January 1945. This Navy engine powered the: Goodyear F2G-1; Martin XBTM-1, AM-1, AM-2, XP4M-1, and JRM-2. The R-4360-4A powered the Hughes XF-11 and HFB-1 (H4) aircraft.
Credit Line
Transferred from the U.S. Air Force Armament Museum, Eglin AFB, Florida
Date
Circa World War II
Inventory Number
A19840656000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
Dimensions
Overall: 3390lb. (1537.7kg)
Other: 8 ft. 3/4 in. × 4 ft. 4 1/2 in. (245.7 × 133.4cm)
Storage: 177.8 × 317.5 × 160cm (5 ft. 10 in. × 10 ft. 5 in. × 5 ft. 3 in.)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A19840656000