In 1932, the Army contracted with Continental for development of a cylinder with high specific power. Using the resulting Hyper No. 1 cylinder, the Air Corps instructed Continental in 1934 to develop what became the horizontally opposed O-1430 to be buried in the wings of large aircraft to improve streamlining for higher speed. However, by this time, the Air Corps decided that 746 kW (1,000 hp) engines were obsolete for bombers, and that fighter wings were too thin for a submerged installation.
By 1939, the Air Corps decided that an inverted vee was needed for improved visibility, and instructed Continental to drop the 0-1430 and begin work on the inverted I-1430. Following development problems, it was decided in 1943 that the engine could not possibly be used in the war, and only eight engines were built for experimental use. This Continental I-1430-11 was test flown in a modified Lockheed P-38 testbed aircraft.
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
1942
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
Manufacturer
Continental Aviation and Engineering Corporation (Detroit, Michigan)
Designer
Continental, Inc.
Physical Description
Type: Reciprocating, V-type, 12 cylinders, water-cooled
Power rating: 2,386 kW (3,200 hp) at 3,200 rpm
Displacement: 23.4 L (1,426 cu in.)
Bore and Stroke: 140 mm (5.5 in.) x 127 mm (5 in.)
Weight: 732.6 kg (1,615 lb)
Dimensions
Overall: 32 11/16 × 30 7/8 × 112 3/16 in. (83 × 78.4 × 284.9cm)
Other: 32 11/16 x 112 3/16 x 30 7/8 x 46 x 120 x 42in. (83 x 284.9 x 78.4 x 116.8 x 304.8 x 106.7cm)
Approximate (Weight on Stand): 1050.5kg (2316lb.)
Height 83 cm (32.7 in.), Width 78.4 cm (30.9 in.), Depth 284.9 cm (112.2 in.)
Materials
HAZMAT: Cadmium Plating
Aluminum, Steel, Paint, Brass, Preservative coating, Rubber, Wood, Textile
Inventory Number
A19600103000
Credit Line
Transferred from the U.S. Air Force Central Museum
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Open Access (CCO)
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