This was among the largest piston engines ever successfully produced. Design began in early-1936, and the first engine ran in mid-1937. Particularly troubled by catastrophic backfires during development and early application, the R-3350 powered a number of World War II era aircraft, the major application being the Boeing B-29.
It continued to give useful service after the war, with one version being the first of its type to have exhaust turbines geared into the power system. Used in airline service with the Douglas DC-7 and Lockheed Super Constellation, the Wright Turbo-Compound Cyclone was the last and the most highly developed piston engine to be widely used in large military and commercial airplanes.
The Wright Cyclone R-3350-57 was built between January 1944 and November 1945. A total of 6,958 of these engines were built, and powered the Boeing B-29/A/B, XB-29E, RB-29/A, TB-29/A/B, TRB-29A, C-97, YC-97, Lockheed C-121A, VC-121B, and Consolidated Vultee B-32.
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 1944
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
Manufacturer
Wright Aeronautical
Physical Description
Type: Reciprocating, 18 cylinders, 2-rows, radial, air cooled
Power rating: 1,641 kW (2,200 hp) at 2,800 rpm
Displacement: 54.9 L (3,350 cu in.)
Bore and Stroke: 156 mm (6.1 in.) x 160 mm (6.3 in.)
Weight: 1,250.6 kg (2,757 lb)
Dimensions
Overall: 2757lb. (1250.6kg)
Other: 4 ft. 7 1/8 in. × 6 ft. 4 1/4 in. × 4 ft. 6 1/2 in. × 7 ft. × 4 ft. 2 in. (140 × 193.7 × 138.4 × 213.4 × 127cm)
Materials
HAZMAT: Cadmium
Aluminum
Ferrous Alloy
Paint
Rubber
Plastic
Inventory Number
A19600120000
Credit Line
Transferred from the U.S. Air Force Central Museum
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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