Early flight tests of the first General Electric turbojet engine, the Type I-A, clearly showed the need for more powerful engines. GE followed with two designs of increased thrust. The second, known as the J31, had 7,118 N (1,600 lb) of thrust and first ran in April 1943. About 250 were built, mainly for the Bell YP-59 and P-59A and B jet aircraft.
This engine, a J31-GE-4, was a Navy version of the engine used in the Ryan FR-1 aircraft. It was similar to the -5 and -7 Air Force versions, except for the elimination and relocation of some accessories, and the rearrangement of engine supports.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Circa World War II
United States of America
PROPULSION-Turbines (Jet)
General Electric Aircraft Engines
Type: Turbojet
Thrust: 7,118 N (1,600 lb) at 16,500 rpm
Compressor: Single-stage centrifugal
Combustor: 10 reverse-flow chambers
Turbine: Single-stage axial
Weight: 386 kg (850 lb)
Overall: 850lb. (385.6kg)
Other: 6 ft. × 3 ft. 5 1/2 in. (182.9 × 105.4cm)
HAZMAT: Cadmium
Ferrous Alloy
Non-Magnetic White Metal
Paint
Wood
Copper Alloy
Unknown Coating
Adhesive Tape
Rubber
Possible Asbestos
A19710049000
Transferred from Lakehurst Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, New Jersey
National Air and Space Museum
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.