Continental Motors was the world’s largest manufacturer of automotive engines during the 1920’s. Its earliest venture in aircraft engines during the mid-1920s was the radial type, but Continental only became successful in aviation with the horizontally opposed type. The combination of the Continental A-65 engine and the Piper J-3 Cub airframe promoted the great growth of sport aviation by providing a dependable, inexpensive airplane with adequate performance and in sufficient quantity to support good service facilities at almost any airport.
During World War II, this engine, under the designation O-170, was adopted by the U.S. Army as the standard engine for use in all light liaison aircraft. After the war, the A-65 powered such well known airplanes as the Piper PA-11 Cub Special, the Taylorcraft Model 47, and the Luscombe Model 8A Silvaire. A large number of home-built airplanes were also powered by the A-65. From 1938 to 1966, more than 10,000 A-65 engines were built.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
1939
United States of America
PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
Continental, Inc.
Type: Reciprocating, Horizontally-opposed, 4 cylinders, air-cooled
Power rating: 48.5 kW (65 hp) at 2,300 rpm
Displacement: 1.8 L (171 cu in.)
Bore and Stroke: 98.4 mm (3.875 in.) x 92.1 (3.625 in.)
Weight: 77.6 kg (171 lb)
Length 77.2 cm (30.41 in.), Width 80.5 cm (31.69 in.), Height 56.4 cm (22.19 in.)
HAZMAT: Cadmium
Ferrous Alloy
Non-Magnetic Metal
Paint
Copper Alloy
Rubber
Plastic
Ink
A19630361000
Gift of the City School District, Rochester, New York
National Air and Space Museum
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