This Heinkel-Hirth RR2 experimental gas turbine engine was built in 1944 by Hirth Motoren, a subsidiary of Ernst Heinkel Aktiengesellschaft. It was designed to operate on a combined mechanical-thermal compression cycle. The main engine components consisted of a combustion chamber, diffuser section, scavenge blower, mixing wheel, and working turbine. The engine operated on a Brayton constant pressure cycle, differing essentially from conventional gas turbine engines by the method used to develop compression. It was designed to produce 104 kW (140 bhp), but the actual output was only 12 kW (16 bhp).

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 1944

Country of Origin

Germany

Type

PROPULSION-Turbines (Jet)

Manufacturer

Heinkel-Hirth (Hirth-Motorenwerke), Stuttgart, Germany

Physical Description

Type: Thermal compression gas turbine engine, Brayton constant pressure cycle
Power: 104 kW (140 bhp) at 18,000 rpm (design); 12 kW (16 bhp) at 8,000 rpm (actual test output)
Weight: 174 kg (383 lb)

Dimensions

Length 76.2 cm (30.0 in.), Width 48.3 cm (19.0 in.), Height 119.4 cm (47.0 in.)

Materials

Ferrous Alloy
Non-Magnetic Metal
Paint
Adhesive Tape

Inventory Number

A19550018000

Credit Line

Transferred from the U.S. Department of the Navy, Bureau of Aeronautics, Washington, D.C.

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

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