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 designs generating increased thrust, including the I-16, designated J31 by the military, which first ran in April 1943. About 250 were built, mainly for variants of the Bell P-59 Airacomet.

When the government believed that future tactical needs would require turbojet engines to use the same fuel as reciprocating engines, GE further developed the engine for the U.S. Navy as a 100-octane, gasoline-burning version of the standard J31 engine, which normally ran on kerosene fuel. That version, along with a Wright R-1820 piston engine, powered the Ryan FR-1 Fireball, the Navy's first partially jet-powered 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 16,500rpm Compressor: Single-stage centrifugal Combustor: 10 reverse-flow chambers Turbine: Single-stage axial Weight: 386 kg (850 lb) Dimensions 3-D: 182.9 × 102.9 × 101.6cm, 385.6kg (6 ft. × 3 ft. 4 1/2 in. × 3 ft. 4 in., 850lb.)
 Materials HAZ MAT: Cadmium
Possible HAZ MAT: Asbestos
Aluminum Alloy
Ferrous Alloy (Steel Most Likely)
Paint
Unidentified Coating
Adhesive Tape
Paper
Adhesive
 Inventory Number A19790120000 Credit Line Found in collection Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.