In 1911, with their assistant Charles Taylor, Wilber and Orville Wright’s original Wright Company began work on a six-cylinder engine, which was first used by the U.S. Army Signal Corps on the Wright Model C aircraft. The engine developed problems in service, leading to design changes, and by 1913 a modified engine known as the Wright 6-60 evolved. At 1560 rpm, it was claimed that this engine developed 53.6 to 55.9 kW (72 to 75 hp). In 1914, a flexible flywheel drive was added, and the engine was re-designated Wright 6-70.
This engine, manufacturer's serial number 11, was one of the first six-cylinder engines designed and built by the Wright Company. One of the earliest Wright six-cylinder engines was installed in the U.S. Army Signal Corps aircraft Number 10 at Fort Riley, Kansas.
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
1912
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
Manufacturer
Wright Company (Dayton, Ohio)
Physical Description
Type: Reciprocating, In-line, 6 cylinders, water-cooled
Power rating: 44.7 kW (60 hp) at 1,400 rpm
Displacement: 6.65 L (405.9 cu. in.)
Bore and Stroke: 111.13 mm (4.375 in) x 114.30 mm (4.5 in)
Weight: 136 kg (300 lb)
Dimensions
3-D: 104 × 38.1 × 68.6cm (40 15/16 × 15 × 27 in.)
Support: 25.4 × 88.9 × 43.2cm (10 × 35 × 17 in.)
Materials
Metal, fabric, rubber
Inventory Number
A19340010000
Credit Line
Transferred from the War Department, Air Corps, Materiel Division, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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