Wright Aeronautical carried on a great deal of experimental work during 1936, culminating early in 1937 in the announcement of the Wright Cyclone 14. Developed from experience gained on the earlier R-1510 and R-1670 models, this powerful air-cooled engine was initially rated at 1,119 kW (1,500 shp) and designated the GR-2600 series. On Pan American’s Boeing 314 Clipper, this engine made transatlantic travel practical. Shortly after commercial release, the power of the Cyclone 14 engines was increased through minor changes to 1,193 kW (1,600 shp) for military use, a rating which it retained later for commercial use.

This R-2600-13 powered the: Brewster SB2A-4; Curtiss P-37; Douglas A-24A/B/C; Martin A-30A/B; North American XB-25E/F/G, B-25C/D/G/H/J, CB-25J, TB-25J, and F-10; Northrop A-35; Lockheed B-37; Short Brothers Stirling; Vega O-56; and Vultee A-31A, Vultee XA-35A, A-35A/B. A total of 13,494 R-2600-13 engines were built between April 1941 and January 1944.