In 1945 Curtiss-Wright received a contract from the Army Air Forces for the XT35 turboprop engine, and Boeing was awarded a study contract for a long-range heavy bomber designated XB-52. Boeing initially proposed a straight-wing bomber powered by six Wright T35s, and then later revised the design to incorporate only four-more powerful-T35 engines.

Curtiss-Wright delivered six XT35-W-1 engines in late 1948. One was test flown in the nose of a Boeing EB-17G bomber and proved more powerful than the bomber's combined four standard reciprocating engines. However, the Air Force dropped the straight-wing, turboprop bomber design and decided instead to produce the now famous, swept-wing B-52 powered by Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojet engines. With no applications found for the XT35, and it never qualified for military application.

 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 1948 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Turbines (Jet) Manufacturer Wright Aeronautical
 Physical Description Type: Turboprop Power Rating: 4,451 kW (6,090 eshp) at 7,080 rpm Compressor: 3-stage centrifugal Combustor: Annular Turbine: 3-stage axial Weight: 2,699 kg (5,950 lb) Dimensions Length 386 cm (152.0 in.), Diameter 150 cm (59.0 in.)
 Inventory Number A19600248000 Credit Line Transferred from the U.S. Air Force Museum, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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