This was among the largest piston engines ever successfully produced. Design began in early-1936, and the first engine ran in mid-1937. Development and early application was particularly troubled by catastrophic backfires. The major airframe application of the Wright R-3350 engine was during World War II on the Boeing B-29.

The engine continued to give useful service after the war, one version of which was the first of its type to have its exhaust turbines (3 of them) geared into the power system. Called the Wright Turbo-Compound Cyclone, it was the last and the most highly developed piston engine to be widely used in large military and commercial airplanes. Airline application was in the Douglas DC-7 and Lockheed Super Constellation.

Only two R-3350-14 engines were built, and those were for the Douglas XSB2D-1 and B2D-1.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date Circa 1941 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Manufacturer Wright Aeronautical
 Physical Description Type: Reciprocating, 18 cylinders, 2 rows, radial, air-cooled Power rating: 1,491 kW (2,000 hp) at 2,400 rpm Displacement: 54.9 L (3,350 cu in) Bore and Stroke: 156 mm (6.1 in.) x 160 mm (6.3 in.) Weight: 1,239 kg (2,731 lb) Dimensions Diameter 137.5 cm (54.12 in.), Length 197.6 cm (77.8 in.)
 Materials Non-Magnetic White Metal
Ferrous Alloy
Rubber
Paint
Wood
Unknown Coating
Anodized Aluminum
Copper Alloy
Adhesive Tape
 Inventory Number A19731564000 Credit Line Transferred from the U.S. Navy, Naval Supply Center, Cheatham Annex, Williamsburg, Virginia Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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