Through a representative in England, General Electric learned of the pioneering jet engine development of Frank Whittle. This resulted in a visit by General H.H. Arnold, Chief of the U.S. Army Air Corps, and manufacture of the Whittle engine by GE. The American engine incorporated a number of mechanical improvements, and two I-A engines first flew in a Bell P-59A in 1942.

GE followed with two designs of increased thrust; first the I-14 (aimed at 6,227 N (1,400 lb.) thrust) and then with the I-16. The J31-GE-4 or -5 (I-16-4 or-5) models provided continuing improvements such as improved turbine cooling intended for the P-59 aircraft.

Believing future tactical needs would require turbojets to use the same fuel as reciprocating engines, the U.S. Navy developed a 100-octane, gasoline-burning version of the standard I-16, which normally ran on kerosene fuel. The Navy’s first application of jet propulsion was the Ryan FR Fireball, a mixed-power (piston and jet-powered) fighter aircraft.

 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-Turbines (Jet) Manufacturer General Electric Aircraft Engines
 Physical Description Type: Turbojet Thrust: 7,161 N (1,610 lb) at 16,500 rpm Compressor: Single-stage centrifugal Combustor: 10 reverse-flow combustion chambers Turbine: Single-stage axial Weight: 386 kg (850 lb) Dimensions Approximate: 185.4 × 124.5 × 99.1cm (73 × 49 × 39 in.)
3-D (Current Storage): 120.7 × 127 × 201.9cm (47 1/2 × 50 × 79 1/2 in.)
Storage: 215.9 × 154.9 × 129.5cm (85 × 61 × 51 in.)
Overall: 850lb. (385.6kg)
Other: 72 x 41 1/2in. (182.9 x 105.4cm)
 Materials Aluminum
Paint
Steel
Rubber
Adhesive
Paper
Cadmium Plating
 Inventory Number A19660042000 Credit Line Found in the collection Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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