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

Designed in 1930, the 14-cylinder, 597 kW (800 hp) Twin Wasp engine was first used in the Martin 130 China Clipper that inaugurated trans-Pacific commercial operations in 1935.

United Air Lines had 746 kW (1,000 hp) Twin Wasps installed in their Douglas DC-3As, which went into service in 1937. Other airlines also used Twin Wasp DC-3As, and 9,600 were built for the military as the C-47, C-53, and C-117 to become the principle transports used in World War II.

This version powered the Douglas C-47A, C-48, C-52, and C-53, all commercial or military versions of the DC-3. A total of 173,618 of all versions of the Twin Wasp engines were manufactured, including those for the World War II B-24 bomber, a number greater than any other large aircraft engine.

Display Status

This object is on display in America by Air at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

America by Air
Object Details
Date Circa World War II Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Manufacturer Pratt & Whitney
Physical Description Type: Radial, 14 cylinders, two rows, air-cooled, supercharger Power rating: 895 kW (1,200 hp) at 2,700 rpm Displacement: 30 L (1,828.4 cu in) Bore and Stroke: 139.5 mm (5.5 in) x 139.5 mm (5.5 in) Weight: 666 kg (1,467 lb) Dimensions 3-D: 156.6 × 122.4cm, 664.5kg (61 5/8 × 48 3/16 in., 1464 15/16lb.)
Support: 121.9 × 215.9 × 121.9cm (48 × 85 × 48 in.)
Materials Metal
Inventory Number A19750478000 Credit Line Gift of Grumman Aerospace. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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