Wright R-2600 Twin Cyclone

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R-2600
Wright R-2600 1.jpg
Wright R-2600 Cyclone radial engine
Type Radial engine
National origin United States
Manufacturer Wright Aeronautical
First run1935
Major applications
Number built85,374 [1]
Developed from Wright R-1820

The Wright R-2600 Cyclone 14 (also called Twin Cyclone) is an American radial engine developed by Curtiss-Wright and widely used in aircraft in the 1930s and 1940s.

Contents

History

In 1935, Curtiss-Wright began work on a more powerful version of their successful R-1820 Cyclone 9. The result was the R-2600 Twin Cyclone, with 14 cylinders arranged in two rows. The 1,600  hp (1,200  kW ; 1,600  PS ) R-2600-3 was originally intended for the C-46 Commando (being fitted to the prototype CW-20A). It was also the original engine choice for the F6F Hellcat; a running change (one which would not stop production) for the CW-20A, and one in late April 1942 for the second XF6F-1, led to the adoption of the 2,000 hp (1,500 kW; 2,000 PS) Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp in the R-2600's place for both designs.

The Twin Cyclone went on to power several important American World War II aircraft, including the A-20 Havoc, B-25 Mitchell, TBF Avenger, SB2C Helldiver, and the PBM Mariner.

Over 50,000 R-2600s were built at plants in Paterson, New Jersey, and Cincinnati, Ohio.

Variants

Applications

Wright R-2600-3 on a B-23 Dragon B-23 Dragon Wright R-2600-3 engine.jpg
Wright R-2600-3 on a B-23 Dragon
Wright R-2600 Cyclone being fitted to a North American B-25 Mitchell, at North American Aviation, Inglewood, California Mounting motor on a Fairfax B-25 bomber, at North American Aviation, Inc., plant in Inglewood, Calif.jpg
Wright R-2600 Cyclone being fitted to a North American B-25 Mitchell, at North American Aviation, Inglewood, California
R-2600 on display at Museum of Aviation, Robins AFB 20-09-105-R 2600.jpg
R-2600 on display at Museum of Aviation, Robins AFB

Specifications (GR-2600-C14BB)

Data fromJane's. [10]

General characteristics

Components

Performance

See also

Related development

Comparable engines

Related lists

Related Research Articles

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References

Notes

  1. "SUMMARY OF WRIGHT ENGINE SHIPMENTS 1920 – 1930" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-10-10. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  2. Friedman, Norman (30 October 2016). Fighters Over the Fleet Naval Air Defence from Biplanes to the Cold War (1 ed.). Pen & Sword Books. p. 61. ISBN   9781848324060. The prototype R-2600-2, rated at 1,500hp for take-off ...
  3. "Teesside Aviation News" (PDF) (Press release). Teesside, UK: Teesside Aviation Society. 1982-11-01. Retrieved 2021-04-06. ... for the RAF, 19 were experimentally fitted with R-2600-4-53 Cyclones ... engines of 1650 hp.
  4. Francillon, Renè (1989). Grumman Aircraft Since 1929. Putnam Aeronautical. p. 196. ISBN   9780851778358 . Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  5. Grossnick, Roy (1995). "Appendix 1: Aircraft Data—Technical Information and Drawings" (PDF). TBF/TBM Avenger. Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons. Vol. I: The History of VA, VAH, VAK, VAL, VAP, and VFA Squadrons. Washington Navy Yard, Washington D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. p. 512. ISBN   0-945274-29-7 . Retrieved 2021-04-03 via Naval History and Heritage Command.
  6. United States Civil Aeronautics Administration Aircraft Listing. United States Civil Aeronautics Administration. 1949. p. 68. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  7. Thomas, Cleaver (19 Oct 2017). "The Pacific Theater". Pacific Thunder The US Navy's Central Pacific Campaign, August 1943–October 1944 (1 ed.). Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 45. ISBN   9781472821867. The XF6F-1 was powered by the Wright R-2600 14- cylinder Twin Cyclone radial engine. After meeting O'Hare, Grumman suggested a power increase which ... put the super new Pratt & Whitney R-2800 ... in the second prototype.
  8. Andrade 1979, p 51
  9. Thruelsen 1976, p 193
  10. Jane's 1998, p. 317.
  11. Liss, Witold (1967). The Lavochkin La 5 & 7. Aircraft Profiles. Vol. 149. Leatherhead, Surrey, UK: Profile Publications. p. 3.

Bibliography

  • Andrade, John (1979). U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN   0-904597-22-9.
  • Bridgman, Leonard, ed. (1998). Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London: Studio Editions Ltd. ISBN   0-517-67964-7.
  • Gunston, Bill (2006). World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines: From the Pioneers to the Present Day (5th ed.). Stroud, UK: Sutton. ISBN   0-7509-4479-X.
  • Thruelsen, Richard (1976). The Grumman Story. New York: Praeger Publishers. ISBN   0-275-54260-2.
  • White, Graham (1995). Allied Aircraft Piston Engines of World War II: History and Development of Frontline Aircraft Piston Engines Produced by Great Britain and the United States During World War II. Warrendale, Pennsylvania: SAE International. ISBN   1-56091-655-9.

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