Wright R-2600
The Wright R-2600 Cyclone 14 (also called Twin Cyclone) was an American radial engine developed by Curtiss-Wright and widely used in aircraft in the 1930s and 1940s.
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 R-2600-3 was originally intended for the C-46 Commando and was fitted to the CW-20A prototype, and was also the original engine choice for the Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter — but a running change for the CW-20A, and in late April 1942 for the second XF6F-1's airframe — led to the adoption of the 2,000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800 in its place for both designs. The Twin Cyclone engine went on to power several key World War II production aircraft including the A-20 Havoc, B-25 Mitchell, TBF Avenger and SB2C Helldiver bombers, and the PBM Mariner flying boat.
Over 50,000 R-2600s were built at plants in Caldwell, New Jersey, and Cincinnati, Ohio.
Models/Variants
- R-2600-1 - 1,600 hp (1,194 kW)
- R-2600-3 - 1,600 hp (1,194 kW)
- R-2600-6 - 1,600 hp (1,194 kW)
- R-2600-8 - 1,700 hp (1,268 kW)
- R-2600-9 - 1,700 hp (1,268 kW)
- R-2600-12 - 1,700 hp (1,268 kW)
- R-2600-13 - 1,700 hp (1,268 kW)
- R-2600-19 - 1,600 hp (1,194 kW), 1,660 hp (1,237 kW)
- R-2600-20 - 1,700 hp (1,268 kW), 1,900 hp (1,420 kW)
- R-2600-22 - 1,900 hp (1,420 kW)
- R-2600-23 - 1,600 hp (1,194 kW)
- R-2600-29 - 1,700 hp (1,268 kW), 1,850 hp (1,380 kW)
- GR-2600-A5B - 1,500 hp (1,118 kW), 1,600 hp (1,194 kW), 1,700 hp (1,268 kW)
- GR-2600-A71 - 1,300 hp (969 kW)
- GR-2600-C14 - 1,750 hp (1,304 kW)
Applications
Specifications (GR-2600-C14BB)
Data from Jane's.[1]
General characteristics
- Type: 14-cylinder supercharged air-cooled two-row radial engine
- Bore: 6.125 in (155.6 mm)
- Stroke: 6.312 in (160.2 mm)
- Displacement: 2,603 in3 (42.7 L)
- Length: 62.06 in (1,576 mm)
- Diameter: 55 in (1,397 mm)
- Dry weight: 2,045 lb (930 kg)
Components
- Valvetrain: Two pushrod-actuated valves per cylinder with sodium-cooled exhaust valve
- Supercharger: Single-stage two-speed centrifugal type supercharger, impeller diameter 11 in (280 mm), blower ratio 7.06:1 at slow speed and 10.06:1 at high speed
- Fuel system: Stromberg PR48A downdraft carburetor with automatic mixture control
- Oil system: Dry sump with one pressure pump and two scavenge pumps
- Cooling system: Air-cooled
Performance
- Power output:
- 1,750 hp (1,305 kW) at 2,600 rpm at 3,200 ft (975 m) military power
- 1,450 hp (1,080 kW) at 2,600 rpm at 15,000 ft (4,575 m) military power
- Specific power: 0.67 hp/in³ (30.6 kW/L)
- Compression ratio: 6.9:1
- Power-to-weight ratio: 0.86 hp/lb (1.40 kW/kg)
See also
- Related development
- Comparable engines
- Related lists
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London. Studio Editions Ltd, 1998. ISBN 0-517-67964-7
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