Wright Whirlwind J-5A-B Radial Engine
Object Details
- Designer
- Lawrance Aero Engine Corp
- S. D. Heron
- Manufacturer
- Wright Aeronautical
- Physical Description
- Type: Reciprocating, Radial, 9 cylinders, air-cooled
- Power rating: 149 kW (200 hp) at 1,800 rpm
- Displacement: 12.9 L (788 cu in)
- Bore and Stroke: 114 mm (4.5 in) x 140 mm (5.5 in)
- Weight: 231 kg (508 lb)
- Summary
- Charles Lawrance, originally a race car engine designer, built his first air-cooled aircraft engine in 1921 for a Navy contract. The 149 kW (200 hp) J-1 satisfied a Navy need for a compact lightweight engine for use on aircraft carriers and not plagued with water leakage problems.
- Progressing through design stages, the most well known model J-5 used advanced engineering features; such as sodium cooled exhaust valves and aluminum cylinder heads. Despite its higher initial cost relative to other engines available at the time, its reliability and lower operating cost resulted in widespread use among many aircraft manufacturers. The Wright Whirlwind J-5 engine powered aircraft such as the Fokker F-7, Ford 4-AT Trimotor, Pitcairn PA-5, and Fairchild FC-2.
- The most famous Wright Whirlwind application was the 1927 New York-to-Paris flight of Charles Lindbergh. In 1928, Charles Lawrance was awarded the Collier Trophy for the outstanding performance of his engines based on records set in 1927.
- Credit Line
- Donated by Juan T. Trippe
- Circa 1928
- Inventory Number
- A19791508000
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
- Materials
- Metal, plastic, rubber
- Dimensions
- 3-D: 86.4 × 114.3cm, 230.4kg (34 × 45 in., 508lb.)
- Support: 91.4 × 139.7 × 76.2cm (36 × 55 × 30 in.)
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- Location
- National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
- Exhibition
- America by Air
- National Air and Space Museum
- Record ID
- nasm_A19791508000
- Metadata Usage (text)
- Not determined
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9a84b6720-2f57-4cef-b924-e2aa88d85532
Related Content
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.