Mitsubishi was the first and largest series producer of Japanese engines during World War II, with a 1937 Pratt & Whitney arrangement possibly contributing to this success. However, Mitsubishi did encounter difficulty later in the war when its designs were more independent. Development of this engine began in 1941, but only a small number were known to have been built before the war ended. The engine type incorporated fuel injection and fan cooling. And while there is no turbo-supercharger installed on this particular artifact, it was designed for it.

It powered two prototype Japanese twin-engine aircraft, the Tachikawa Ki-70 Army Experimental Command Reconnaissance Plane (Allied Code Name Clara) and Tachikawa Ki-74 Army Experimental Long Range Bomber (Allied Code Name Patsy). Neither of these aircraft became operational, and the engines, which were not fully developed, proved unreliable during flight tests.

 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 Japan Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Manufacturer Mitsubishi Jukogyo K. K.
 Physical Description Type: Reciprocating, 18 cylinders, 2 rows, radial, air cooled Power rating: 1,641 kW (2,200 hp) at 2,900 rpm Displacement: 41.7 L (2,546 cu in.) Bore and Stroke: 140 mm (5.5 in.) x 150 mm (5.9 in.) Weight: 980 kg (2,161 lb) Dimensions Diameter 123 cm (48.4 in.), Length 202 cm (79.5 in.)
 Materials Magnesium Alloy
Steel
Aluminum
Nickel Plating
Copper Alloy
Rubber
Porcelain
Paint
Paper
 Inventory Number A19670114000 Credit Line Transferred from United States Army Air Forces Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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