Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

The Wasp Major was Pratt & Whitney’s last big piston engine. Although four rows in the radial configuration seems a cooling problem, the Wasp Major was effectively cooled by staggering each of its rows of seven cylinders. Although reliable in flight, the engine required extensive and time consuming checks at startup and shutdown.

Beginning in 1941, the gigantic Convair B-36 strategic bomber was likely planned around this engine, which used six R-4360s along with four turbojets. The Wasp Major saw service at the end of World War II in late Boeing B-29s that were actually early B-50s, and powered the Boeing B-50 "Lucky Lady" when it made the first non-stop around the world flight from Fort Worth, Texas, in 1949.

Other principal applications were in the Douglas C-124 Globemaster and the civilian Boeing Stratocruiser, derived from the B-50.

 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 1943 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Manufacturer Pratt & Whitney
 Physical Description Type: Reciprocating, 28 cylinders, radial, 4-rows, air-cooled Power rating: 2,088 kW (2,800 hp) at 2,700 rpm Dispacement: 71.5 L (4,360 cu in.) Bore and Stroke: 146 mm (5.8 in.) x 152 mm (6.0 in.) Weight: 1,636 kg (3,600 lb) Dimensions Approximate: 167.64 x 247.65 x 145.42cm (5ft 6in. x 8ft 1 1/2in. x 4ft 9 1/4in.)
Approximate (Weight on Stand): 1873.4kg (4130lb.)
Depth 167.6 cm (66 in.), Length 247.7 cm (97.5 in.), Width 145.4 cm (57.25 in.)
 Materials HAZMAT: Cadmium Plating, Magnesium
Steel, Aluminum, Paint, Rubber, Copper, Brass, Wood
 Inventory Number A19530050000 Credit Line Gift of Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.