The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia
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The Wright
R-3350 Duplex Cyclone was
an air-cooled radial aircraft engine with 18 cylinders arranged in two
rows. Bore was 6.125 inches (156mm) and stroke was 6.3125 inches
(160mm), as with the R-2600,
giving a displacement of 3350 cubic inches (54.9 liters.) It was one
of the most powerful radial engines ever produced. However, it required very high octane gasoline
(AN-F-33 or 115/45 gasoline) and early
models had numerous bugs. The most dangerous of these was inadequate
cooling of the upper rear cylinders, which caused valves to burn out
and the engine to catch fire. The fire then spread to the magnesium casing around the supercharger, which very often meant the loss of the aircraft. Fuel
injection and water injection power boost for takeoff were not added
until after the war was over.
| Model |
Horsepower |
Wattage |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 |
2200 hp |
1640 kW |
Two exhaust-driven turbochargers |
Aircraft using this engine included the B-29 Superfortress and the
B-32 Dominator. It was to have powered the P4Y Corregidor flying boat, but the high priority given to supplying R-3350s for the B-29 forced cancellation of the P4Y.
References
Creed (1985)
Gunston (1999, 2006)
National
Museum of the USAF (accessed 2008-2-14)
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