In 1950, Wright Aeronautical entered the aircraft gas turbine business when its President, Roy T. Hurley, traveled to Britain and obtained licenses from Bristol for its Olympus turbojet engine, and Armstrong Siddeley for its Sapphire turbojet engine, to manufacture and sell their engines in the U.S.

Wright military qualified the Sapphire as the J65. Production began in 1952 and ended in 1957; a total of 10,023 J65 engines were built by Wright and Buick. It powered aircraft such as the Republic F-84 Thunderstreak and RF-84F Thunderflash, the Martin B-57A and RB-57B Canberra, the North American FJ-3 and FJ-4 Fury, Douglas A4D-1 Skyhawk, Grumman F-11 Tiger, and Chance-Vought Regulus missile.

From February through September 1955, 12 J65-W-14 engines were built. This J65-W-14 artifact powered the Grumman F11F-1 aircraft.

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 1955

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

PROPULSION-Turbines (Jet)

Designer

Armstrong Siddeley
Wright Aeronautical

Manufacturer

Wright Aeronautical

Physical Description

Type: Turbojet
Thrust: 44,480 N (10,000 lb) at 8,300 rpm
Compressor: 13-stage axial
Combustor: Annular
Turbine: 2-stage axial

Dimensions

Length 460.1 cm (181.1 in.), Diameter 95.3 cm (37.5 in.)

Materials

Magnesium Alloy
Steel
Titanium
Copper Alloy
Paint
Aluminum
Cadmium Plating
Anodized Aluminum
Rubber
Tape
Cesium?

Inventory Number

A19730249000

Credit Line

Transferred from the U.S. Navy, Naval Air Station, Millington, Tennessee

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.