Object Details
Manufacturer
Wright Aeronautical
Physical Description
Type: Reciprocating, 18 cylinders, 2-rows, radial, air cooled
Power rating: 1,641 kW (2,200 hp) at 2,800 rpm
Displacement: 54.9 L (3,350 cu in.)
Bore and Stroke: 156 mm (6.1 in.) x 160 mm (6.3 in.)
Weight: 1,250.6 kg (2,757 lb)
Summary
This was among the largest piston engines ever successfully produced. Design began in early-1936, and the first engine ran in mid-1937. Particularly troubled by catastrophic backfires during development and early application, the R-3350 powered a number of World War II era aircraft, the major application being the Boeing B-29.
It continued to give useful service after the war, with one version being the first of its type to have exhaust turbines geared into the power system. Used in airline service with the Douglas DC-7 and Lockheed Super Constellation, the Wright Turbo-Compound Cyclone was the last and the most highly developed piston engine to be widely used in large military and commercial airplanes.
The Wright Cyclone R-3350-57 was built between January 1944 and November 1945. A total of 6,958 of these engines were built, and powered the Boeing B-29/A/B, XB-29E, RB-29/A, TB-29/A/B, TRB-29A, C-97, YC-97, Lockheed C-121A, VC-121B, and Consolidated Vultee B-32.
Credit Line
Transferred from the U.S. Air Force Central Museum
Date
Circa 1944
Inventory Number
A19600120000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
Materials
HAZMAT: Cadmium
Aluminum
Ferrous Alloy
Paint
Rubber
Plastic
Dimensions
Overall: 2757lb. (1250.6kg)
Other: 4 ft. 7 1/8 in. × 6 ft. 4 1/4 in. × 4 ft. 6 1/2 in. × 7 ft. × 4 ft. 2 in. (140 × 193.7 × 138.4 × 213.4 × 127cm)
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_A19600120000