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.

An improved version of the -23A, produced in greater quantity than any other R-3350 model, Wright built only 8 engines of the R-3350-65 model between March and September 1946.

 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 1946 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: 1,864 kW (2,500 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 3-D: 193 × 142.2 × 143.5cm, 1250.6kg (6 ft. 4 in. × 4 ft. 8 in. × 4 ft. 8 1/2 in., 2757lb.)
 Materials HAZ MAT: Cadmium
Aluminum Alloy
Ferrous Alloy
Rubber
Wood
Fiberglass
Paint
Adhesive Tape
Paper
Adhesive
 Inventory Number A19600121000 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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