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
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