Early flight tests of the first General Electric turbojet engine, the Type I-A, clearly showed the need for more powerful engines. GE followed with two designs of increased thrust. The second, known as the J31, initially referred to as the I-16, had 7,117 N (1,600 lb) of thrust and first ran in April 1943. GE built about 250 of these versions, mainly for the Bell YP-59 and P-59A and B jet aircraft.

The I-16-5 model was built for the Army Air Forces. It was an improved design derived from the I-16A1 and I-16A3 that incorporated changes to obtain better cooling for the rear bearing for improved performance at high altitude. It also had larger turbine wheel cooling air vanes, a new cooling air manifold assembly, and a flange welded wheel and shaft construction.

 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 World War II Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Turbines (Jet) Manufacturer General Electric Aircraft Engines
 Physical Description Type: Turbojet Thrust: 7,117 N (1,600 lb) at 16,500 rpm Compressor: Single-stage centrifugal Combustor: 10 reverse-flow chambers Turbine: Single-stage axial Weight: 401 kg (885 lb) Dimensions Length 183 cm (72 in.), Diameter 105 cm (41.5 in.)
 Materials HAZMAT: Cadmium Plating, Magnesium Alloy
Aluminum
Steel
Rubber
Anodized Aluminum
Rubberized Fabric
Paint
Copper Alloy
Fabric
Adhesive
Ceramic
 Inventory Number A19600240000 Credit Line Transferred from the U.S. Air Force Museum, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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