One museum, two locations
Visit us in Washington, DC and Chantilly, VA to explore hundreds of the world’s most significant objects in aviation and space history. Free timed-entry passes are required for the Museum in DC.
Visit
National Air and Space Museum in DC
Udvar-Hazy Center in VA
Plan a field trip
Plan a group visit
At the museum and online
Discover our exhibitions and participate in programs both in person or virtually.
What's On
Events
Exhibitions
IMAX
Dive deep into air and space
Browse our collections, stories, research, and on demand content.
Explore
Stories
Topics
Collections
On demand
For researchers
For teachers and parents
Bring the Air and Space Museum to your learners, wherever you are.
Learn
Programs
Learning resources
Plan a field trip
Educator professional development
Education monthly theme
Be the spark
Your support will help fund exhibitions, educational programming, and preservation efforts.
Give
Become a member
Wall of Honor
Ways to give
Host an Event
Continental A-65-8, Horizontally-Opposed 4 Engine
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.
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
1939
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
Manufacturer
Continental, Inc.
Physical Description
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)
Dimensions
Length 77.2 cm (30.41 in.), Width 80.5 cm (31.69 in.), Height 56.4 cm (22.19 in.)
Materials
HAZMAT: Cadmium
Ferrous Alloy
Non-Magnetic Metal
Paint
Copper Alloy
Rubber
Plastic
Ink
Inventory Number
A19630361000
Credit Line
Gift of the City School District, Rochester, New York
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.
Stay up to date on the latest stories and events with our newsletter
Privacy
Terms of Use