Continental negotiated a licensing agreement with French engine company Turbomeca in 1951 for the technical rights and U.S. production and marketing of a family of eight small gas turbine engines. With the J69 military designation, Continental significantly improved the design and upgraded the performance of the original Marbore II. In 1952, following intense Continental marketing, Cessna selected the J69 for its candidate in the U.S. Air Force T-37 jet trainer competition, and for some versions of the Ryan Firebee Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV). From 1954 through 1995, more than 6,900 J69s were produced for target and reconnaissance versions of the Firebee. And from 1955 through 1976, Continental manufactured more than 3,000 for the Cessna T-37.

This engine, a model YJ69-T-7 Marbore II, was an early flight test engine for the Air Force Firebee RPV. It is not believed to be a production J69 engine.

 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 1950s Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Turbines (Jet) Manufacturer Continental Aviation and Engineering (Toledo, Ohio)
 Designer Continental, Inc.
 Physical Description Type: Turbojet Thrust: 4,114 N (925 lb) Compressor: Single-stage centrifugal Combustor: Single annular chamber Turbine: Single-stage axial Weight: 165 kg (364 lb) Dimensions Length 138 cm (54.4 in.), Diameter 57 cm (22.3 in.)
 Materials Steel
Non Magnetic Metal
Anodized Aluminum
Fabric
Paint
Plastic
Rubber
Adhesive
 Inventory Number A19600247000 Credit Line Transferred from the U.S. Air Force Museum, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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