Allison V-3420

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V-3420
Allison V-3420 Engine.jpg
Allison V-3420 Engine
TypeLiquid-cooled W-24 piston engine
National originUnited States
Manufacturer Allison Engine Company
First run1937
Major applications Fisher P-75 Eagle
Number built150[ citation needed ]
Developed from Allison V-1710

The Allison V-3420 was a large experimental piston aircraft engine, designed in 1937 by the American Allison Engine Company.

Contents

Design and development

In 1937, at the behest of the United States Army Air Corps, the Allison Engine Company agreed to design and build a large-displacement high-power aircraft engine. The resulting V-3420 was essentially a pair of 12-cylinder Allison V-1710 engines mated to a common crankcase with a 30° angle between the inner cylinder banks. The crankshafts of the two V-1710 engines were geared together to drive a common propeller shaft. Most V-3420 parts were interchangeable with those for V-1710-E and -F engines.

The V-3420 had a power-to-weight ratio of 1.6 kW/kg or 1 hp/lb, excellent for its time. It was envisioned as a powerful yet compact engine for several advanced USAAF projects of the day, including the Douglas XB-19, the Boeing XB-39 Superfortress, the Lockheed XP-58 Chain Lightning, and the Fisher P-75 Eagle. As none of these designs saw more than limited production, only about 150 V-3420s were built.[ citation needed ]

Variants

V-3420-A16R (-11)
V-3420-A16L (-13)
left-hand rotation of propeller, single-stage supercharger with single-stage turbocharger and intercooler
V-3420-A18R (-17)
V-3420-A24
Supercharger ratio 7.2:1
V-3420-B (-23)
Similar to the -A but with mechanically driven supercharger in two variable-speed stages

Applications

Boeing XB-39 Superfortress with V-3420 engines Boeing-GM XB-39 41-36954 (5412707154).jpg
Boeing XB-39 Superfortress with V-3420 engines

Engines on display

An Allison V-3420-23 engine at the National Museum of the Air Force in Dayton, Ohio A 2,885 hp Allison V-3420-23 24 cylinder coupled V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine.jpg
An Allison V-3420-23 engine at the National Museum of the Air Force in Dayton, Ohio

Specifications (V-3420-A18R (-17))

Data fromAircraft Engines of the World 1946

General characteristics

Components

Performance

Take-off
2,600 hp (1,940 kW) at 3,000 rpm at 46.0 inHg / +8.0 Lb boost for 15 minutes
Military
2,600 hp (1,940 kW) at 3,000 rpm at 25,000 ft (7,625 m) for 15 minutes
Normal
2,100 hp (1,565 kW) at 2,600 rpm at 25,000 ft (7,625 m) maximum continuous power
Max. Cruising
1,575 hp (1,175 kW) at 2,300 rpm at 25,000 ft (7,625 m)

See also

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