Object Details
Manufacturer
Wright Aeronautical
Physical Description
Type: Reciprocating, 18 cylinders, 2-rows, radial, air cooled
Power rating: 1,864 kW (2,500 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.
An improved version of the -23A, produced in greater quantity than any other R-3350 model, Wright built only 8 engines of the R-3350-65 model between March and September 1946.
Credit Line
Transferred from the U.S. Air Force Central Museum
Date
1946
Inventory Number
A19600121000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
Materials
HAZ MAT: Cadmium
Aluminum Alloy
Ferrous Alloy
Rubber
Wood
Fiberglass
Paint
Adhesive Tape
Paper
Adhesive
Dimensions
3-D: 193 × 142.2 × 143.5cm, 1250.6kg (6 ft. 4 in. × 4 ft. 8 in. × 4 ft. 8 1/2 in., 2757lb.)
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_A19600121000