Continental Motors was the world’s largest manufacturer of automotive engines during the 1920’s. Its earliest venture in aircraft engines was the radial type, but Continental only became successful in aviation with the horizontally opposed type. The combination of the A-65 engine and Piper J-3 Cub airframe promoted great growth of sport aviation by providing a dependable, inexpensive airplane with adequate performance and sufficient quantity to support good service facilities at almost any airport.

The U.S. Army adopted this engine during World War II, under the designation O-170, 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. The A-65 also powered a large number of home-built airplanes, with more than 10,000 A-65 engines built from 1938 to 1966. This artifact powered a Stinson L-13.

 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 World War II Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Physical Description Type: Reciprocating, 4 cylinders, Opposed, air-cooled Power rating: 48.5 kW (65 hp) at 2,300 rpm Displacement: 2.8 L (171 cu in.) Bore and Stroke: 98.4 mm (3.875 in.) x 92.1 mm (3.625 in.) Weight: 79.4 kg (175 lb) Dimensions Overall: 1 ft. 8 5/16 in. × 2 ft. 7 1/2 in. × 2 ft. 6 3/8 in., 175lb. (51.6 × 80 × 77.2cm, 79.4kg)
3-D: 126 × 108.9 × 109.2cm (4 ft. 1 5/8 in. × 3 ft. 6 7/8 in. × 3 ft. 7 in.)
 Materials Ferrous Alloys
Aluminum Alloys
Copper Alloy
Ceramic
Rubber
White Metal Plating
Plastic
 Inventory Number A19670017000 Credit Line Gift of Continental Aircraft Engine Company Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.