Object Details
- Manufacturer
- Continental, Inc.
- Wright Aeronautical
- Physical Description
- Type: Reciprocating, 9 cylinders, radial, air cooled
- Power rating: 410 kW (550 hp) at 2,400 rpm
- Displacement: 16 L (975 cu in.)
- Bore and Stroke: 127 mm (5.0 in.) x 140 mm (5.5 in.)
- Weight: 331 kg (730 lb)
- Summary
- Continental built this engine under license from Wright. It is a member of the Wright J-6 Whirlwind family, which was sometimes referred to as the J-6-9. The well known designers Sam Heron, and Charles Lawrance were involved during the mid-1920s with the original version of the J-6, which produced up to 336 kW (450 hp).
- During World War II, the further developed Continental engine was installed in medium tanks. Following the war, the R-975 (an improved J-6) was used in Piasecki and Kaman helicopters for the Army, Navy and Air Force.
- This artifact was a spare engine for the museum’s XV-1 Convertiplane, a mid-1950s USAF and McDonnell joint development using a jet-driven motor for vertical flight and standard pusher propeller for forward flight. Because it was submerged within the fuselage, the R-975 was equipped with a cooling fan. By 1961, conventional helicopters achieved the same flight speed as the Convertiplane, thus dooming this particular concept.
- Credit Line
- McDonnell Aircraft Corporation
- Circa 1954
- Inventory Number
- A19640024002
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
- Dimensions
- Diameter 115.6 cm (45.5 in.), Length 107.7 cm (42.4 in.) (Dimensions for R-975-42)
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- National Air and Space Museum
- Record ID
- nasm_A19640024002
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9148577db-2b90-4cfd-a65c-56c634951427
