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In the early 1930s, the Navy supported Wright development of two new liquid-cooled engines, the XR-2120 (H-2120) and the V-1800. This was part of a "high-speed development program" undertaken by the Navy because of concern over the growing superiority of foreign airplanes in top speed, especially as demonstrated in the 1929 Schneider Trophy contest and again in 1931.

First of the two engines and derived from the Curtiss H-1640, it was anticipated that the XR-2120 design, with liquid cooling and enlarged cylinders, would make a good racing engine. The small diameter of the engine, considered important for drag reduction, proved to be difficult to develop due to excessive angularity of the connecting rods and other problems. The Navy withdrew support from the project, primarily because it decided to focus on the development of air-cooled engines. Convinced that the design was mechanically poor, Wright made little effort to persuade the Navy to change its decision and dropped the project.

 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 1933 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Manufacturer Wright Aeronautical
 Physical Description Type: Reciprocating, 12 cylinders, 2 rows, radial, liquid cooled Power rating: 746 kW (1,000 hp) at 2,400 rpm Displacement: 34.7 L (2,120 cu in.) Bore and Stroke: Not available Weight: 544 kg (1,200 lb) Dimensions Approximate: 160 × 167.6 × 147.3cm (63 × 66 × 58 in.)
Approximate (Weighed with Stand): 694kg (1530lb.)
Depth 160 cm (63 in.), Length 167.6 cm (66 in.), Width 147.3 cm (58 in.)
 Materials Steel, Aluminum, Rubber, Textile, Magnesium, Paint, Stainless Steel
 Inventory Number A19710896000 Credit Line Transferred from the U.S. Navy Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Open Access (CCO)
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