Object Details
Manufacturer
Wright Aeronautical
Physical Description
Type: Reciprocating, 9 cylinders, radial, air-cooled
Power rating: 224 kW kW (300 hp) at 2,000 rpm
Displacement: 16 L (975 cu in.)
Bore and Stroke: 127 mm (5.0 in.) x 140 mm (5.5 in.)
Weight: 250 kg (550 lb)
Summary
Charles Lawrance designs for air-cooled engines began in 1915. In 1921, his own small company’s J-1 149 kW (200 hp) engine was designed for a Navy contract. Wanting a better, compact, lightweight engine not plagued with water leakage problems for use on aircraft carriers; the Navy encouraged the 1923 merger with the larger Wright Aeronautical Corporation. The Lawrance engine then progressed through the Wright Whirlwind J-3, J-4, J-5, and J-6 series, with the fully supercharged, high compression R-760-E2 certificated in December 1935. However, the most famous of these models was the J-5 which powered Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis.
The R-975 was a nine-cylinder engine in the J-6 series. Versions of the R-975 ranged from 224 to 354 kW (300 to 475 shp), and powered aircraft such as the Consolidated BT6, Stearman BT3/YPT-9C, North American BT-9/A/B/C/D, Vultee BT-15, Lockheed 10, Beech D-17R and 18R, and Ford 4-AT-E. The R-975 also had autogiro, airship, and tank applications.
Credit Line
Found in the collection
Date
April 1929
Inventory Number
A19670003000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
Materials
Ferrous Alloy
Non-Magnetic Metals
Rubber
Plastics
Wood
Paint
Uncharacterized Fabrics
Adhesive Tape
Dimensions
Overall: 545lb. (247.2kg)
Other (Engine): 3 ft. 11 in. × 3 ft. 5 7/16 in. × 4 ft. 3 1/2 in. (119.4 × 105.3 × 130.8cm)
Storage (Stand): 4 ft. 8 in. × 4 ft. 4 in. (142.2 × 132.1cm)
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_A19670003000