Ranger Engineering of Farmingdale, New York was a unit of the Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation which entered the aircraft engine business in 1925. Initially a manufacturer of radial engines, Fairchild later became a successful manufacturer of air-cooled in-line aircraft engines.

As early as 1935, Fairchild had proposed a 24-cylinder, air-cooled, H-type engine for both commercial transport and military use. Known as an LS-555, this engine was essentially a combination of two 12-cylinder V-770-SG engines. The H-configuration permitted installation in an oval-shaped, narrow fuselage and a gun fired through the propeller shaft.

In May 1943, Ranger proposed to the U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics the design and development of the XH-1850-2 engine, calling for eight engines for development testing, type testing, and preliminary flight installation. Ranger continued work on the XH-1850 until 1946, when the U.S. government, after evaluating progress made by British and American turbojet engine manufacturers, terminated XH-1850 development.

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 1943

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary

Manufacturer

Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation

Physical Description

Type: Reciprocating, 24 cylinders, 4 banks of 6 cylinders each, Air-cooled, Supercharged
Power rating: 1,119 kW (1,500 hp) at 3,500 rpm
Displacement: 25.33 L (1,545.6 cu in)
Bore and Stroke: 102 mm (4 in.) x 130 mm (5.125 in.)
Weight: 787 kg (1,735 lb)

Dimensions

Overall: 3 ft. 11 1/2 in. × 2 ft. 5 in. × 8 ft., 1735lb. (120.7 × 73.7 × 243.8cm, 787kg)
Other: 3 ft. 11 1/2 in. × 8 ft. × 2 ft. 5 in. × 4 ft. 11 in. × 7 ft. 8 in. × 3 ft. 4 in. (120.7 × 243.8 × 73.7 × 149.9 × 233.7 × 101.6cm)

Materials

Non-Magnetic Metal
Ferrous Alloy
Rubber
Unknown Coating
Glass
Possible Salt
Wood
Paint
Adhesive Tape
Electrical Wiring

Inventory Number

A19731579000

Credit Line

Transferred from the U.S. Navy, Naval Supply Center, Cheatham Annex, Williamsburg, Virginia

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

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