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 Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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