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Wright R-2600 Twin Cyclone

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R-2600
Wright R-2600 Cyclone radial engine
Type Radial engine
National origin United States
Manufacturer Wright Aeronautical
First run 1935
Major applications
Number built 85,374[1]
Developed from Wright R-1820 Cyclone

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.

History

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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

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The following is a list of known R-2600 models. Engines would receive a three-part designation from Curtiss-Wright. For example, "R-2600-1;" the "R" indicating a "radial engine," "2600" indicating an engine displacement of 2,600 cu in (43 L), and "1" indicating the internal model number, usually listed chronologically. Engines accepted by the U.S. government were assigned a separate, three-part governmental designation. For example, the "R-2600-13" was accepted into service as the "GR-2600-B655;" the "GR" indicating a "(geared) radial engine," the "2600" indicating an engine displacement of 2,600 cu in (43 L), and "B655" indicating the governmental model number. The Curtiss-Wright designation is usually utilized more often than the governmental designation, and the U.S. government utilized both designations interchangeably and often together.

The Curtiss-Wright designation will be listed first, followed by the — when known — governmental designation in parentheses (the lack of a governmental designation does not indicate that the model was not accepted into governmental service). Engines known only by their governmental designation will be listed at the bottom.

  • R-2600-1 - 1,600 hp (1,194 kW)
  • R-2600-2 - 1,500 hp (1,118 kW)- Prototype variant; Few were made.[2]
  • R-2600-3 - 1,600 hp (1,194 kW)
  • R-2600-4 - 1,650 hp (1,230 kW)[3]
  • 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-2600-10 - 1,700 hp (1,268 kW)- Experimental high-altitude R-2600 variant with a two-stage mechanical supercharger, vice the usual single-stage supercharger. The 2600-10 also served as a testbed for turbo-supercharging the 2600 series. Very few were produced.[4][5]
  • R-2600-11 - 1,600 hp (1,194 kW)[6]
  • R-2600-12 - 1,700 hp (1,268 kW)
  • R-2600-13 (GR-2600-B655) - 1,700 hp (1,268 kW); Powered the Brewster SB2A-4; Curtiss P-37; Douglas A-24A/B/C; Martin A-30A/B; North American XB-25E/F/G, B-25C/D/G/H/J, CB-25J, TB-25J, and F-10; Lockheed O-56/RB-34B/B-37/RB-37; Short Brothers Stirling; and the Vultee A-35A & A-35B. 13,494 R-2600-13s were built between April 1941 and January 1944[7]
  • R-2600-14 - 1,700 hp (1,268 kW)- One of the engines which powered Grumman's prototype F6Fs, the XF6F-1 (the two-stage supercharged R-2600-10 was also tested in the XF6F-1). Grumman was not happy with the performance, which led to the 2,000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine replacing the R-2600 on F6F production models.[8]
  • R-2600-15 - 1,800 hp (1,342 kW); Planned to power the XB-33A, a prototype model of the B-33 Super Marauder (itself a high-altitude version of the B-26 Marauder). The project was cancelled, and neither the prototype XB-33A or production B-33A were ever built.[9]
  • R-2600-16 - 1,700 hp (1,268 kW)- Similar to the R-2600-10 & -14, the -16 powered a Grumman prototype F6F, the XF6F-2.[10]
  • 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)[11]
  • R-2600-21 (GR-2600-A5B) - 1,500 hp (1,118 kW), 1,600 hp (1,194 kW), 1,700 hp (1,268 kW)
  • R-2600-22 - 2,100 hp (1,566 kW); Powerplant of the experimental XSB2C-6 Helldiver[12] as well as the PBM-3D Mariner.[13] Power is referenced as low as 1,900 hp (1,418 kW)[14][15] and as high as 2,100 hp (1,566 kW)[16][17]
  • R-2600-23 - 1,600 hp (1,194 kW)
  • R-2600-25 - 1,350 hp (1,007 kW)[18]
  • R-2600-27 - 2,000 hp (1,491 kW)[19]
  • R-2600-28 - No known information; Occasionally the 2,100 hp (1,566 kW) R-2600-22 is referred to as the R-2600-28
  • R-2600-29 - 1,700 hp (1,268 kW),[20] 1,850 hp (1,380 kW);[21][22] Likely the most-produced R-2600 variant, with at least 17,848 produced. The R-2600-29 powered the B-25C and -25D as well as the A-20G and -H. An R-2600-29A is also referenced in various manuals and reports as the powerplant of the twin-engine TB-25N medium bomber trainer aircraft. The R-2600-29A is referenced interchangeably with the R-2600-35.[23]
  • R-2600-31 - 1,700 hp (1,268 kW); The Lockheed B-34 Ventura, originally powered by the R-2800, was chosen to be converted into a large, armed reconnaissance and observation aircraft, designated as the "O-56." This was later changed to "RB-34B," then to "B-37," and finally to "RB-37." 500 RB-37s were ordered, but the contract was cancelled after 18 were delivered. As the RB-37 was not expected to carry bomb loads, it was felt a lower-powered engine would suffice; The 2,000 hp (1,491 kW) R-2800 was replaced by either the 1,700 hp (1,268 kW) R-2600-31 or, with early models, the R-2600-13
  • R-2600-33 - 1,700 hp (1,268 kW)[24]
  • R-2600-34 - 2,100 hp (1,566 kW); Two R-2600-34s served as the powerplants of the early versions of the PBM-5 Mariner, before the switch-over to the R-2800[25]
  • R-2600-35 - 1,700 hp (1,268 kW),[26] 1,850 hp (1,380 kW);[27][28] An R-2600-29 or R-2600-29A modified with a Bendix Stromberg PR48A4 carburetor. The -29, -29A, and -35 may have been considered interchangeable to a degree.[29]
  • GR-2600-A71 - 1,300 hp (969 kW)
  • GR-2600-C14 - 1,750 hp (1,304 kW)

Applications

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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
R-2600 on display at Museum of Aviation, Robins AFB

Specifications (GR-2600-C14BB)

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Data from Jane's.[31]

General characteristics

  • Type: 14-cylinder supercharged air-cooled two-row radial engine
  • Bore: 6+1⁄8 in (155.6 mm)
  • Stroke: 6+5⁄16 in (160.3 mm)
  • Displacement: 2,604 cu in (42.67 L)
  • Length: 62.06 in (1,576 mm)
  • Diameter: 55 in (1,397 mm)
  • Dry weight: 2,045 lb (928 kg)

Components

Performance

  • Power output:
    • 1,750 hp (1,300 kW) at 2,600 rpm at 3,200 ft (1,000 m) military power
    • 1,450 hp (1,080 kW) at 2,600 rpm at 15,000 ft (4,600 m) military power
  • Specific power: 0.67 hp/cu in (30 kW/L)
  • Compression ratio: 6.9:1
  • Power-to-weight ratio: 0.86 hp/lb (1.41 kW/kg)

See also

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Related development

Comparable engines

Related lists

References

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Notes

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  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. ^ "Wright Cyclone R-2600-13 (GR-2600-B655), 2-Row, Radial 14 Engine". National Air and Space Museum. Archived from the original on 2024-08-16. R-2600-13 powered the: Brewster SB2A-4; Curtiss P-37; Douglas A-24A/B/C; Martin A-30A/B; North American XB-25E/F/G, B-25C/D/G/H/J, CB-25J, TB-25J, and F-10; Northrop A-35; Lockheed B-37; Short Brothers Stirling; Vega O-56; and Vultee A-31A, Vultee XA-35A, A-35A/B. A total of 13,494 R-2600-13 engines were built between April 1941 and January 1944... Power rating: 1,268 kW (1,700 hp) at 2,600 rpm...
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Andrade 1979, p 51
  10. ^ Thruelsen 1976, p 193
  11. ^ 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 2025-03-22 – via Naval History and Heritage Command.
  12. ^ Kinzey, Bert; Roszak, Rock (2018). U. S. Navy and Marine Carrier-Based Aircraft of World War II. N.p.: Detail & Scale. p. 82. ISBN 9780999195901. ...the XSB2C-6 was an attempt to solve this problem. Wright developed the R-2600-22 which developed 2,100 horsepower for takeoff...
  13. ^ Prince, William R. (1946-01-01). Ground-stand Cooling Investigation of an R-2600-22 Engine in a PBM-3D Nacelle (Report). NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics). NACA-WR-L-754, NACA-MR-L5L18. Retrieved 2013-08-16.
  14. ^ Johnson, E.R. (2016). American Flying Boats and Amphibious Aircraft: An Illustrated History. United Kingdom: McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. p. 182. ISBN 9780786457083. An upgrade to 1,900hp R-2600-22 engines...
  15. ^ Dorr, Robert F. (1997). "Variant Briefing: Martin Flying Boats: Mariner, Mars and Marlin". Wings of Fame. 7. London: Aerospace Publishing: 125. ISBN 1-874023-97-2.
  16. ^ Kinzey, Bert; Roszak, Rock (2018). U. S. Navy and Marine Carrier-Based Aircraft of World War II. N.p.: Detail & Scale. p. 82. ISBN 9780999195901. ...the XSB2C-6 was an attempt to solve this problem. Wright developed the R-2600-22 which developed 2,100 horsepower for takeoff...
  17. ^ Kammen, Michael G. (1959). Operational History of the Flying Boat: Open Sea and Seadrome Aspects: Selected campaigns, World War II. United States: Office of the Scientific Historian, Bureau of Aeronautics. p. 71. Engine take-off horse power [sic]... 2,100... Engine...R-2600-22
  18. ^ Griffiths, Harold (1944). Mathematics for Aircraft Engine Mechanics. United Kingdom: McGraw-Hill. p. 317. R-2600-25 has a 100 per cent normal rated hp. of 1,350 at 2,300 r.p.m. with a manifold pressure of 37.0 "Hg at 5,800' altitude...
  19. ^ "North American B-25 Mitchell". Classic Warbirds. Archived from the original on 2024-11-10. ...the 2,000-hp Pratt & Whitney R-2600-27 engine.
  20. ^ Aircraft Engine Listing, May 15, 1950 (Report). United States: U.S. Department of Commerce, Civil Aeronautics Administration. 1950-05-15. p. 42. R-2600-29... Take-off... HP... 1700...
  21. ^ Kittel; Graf; Mantelli; Brown (2017). B-24 Liberator - B-25 Mitchell - B-26 Marauder. REI (Rifreddo). p. 72. ISBN 9782372973243. R-2600-29 — 1.850 hp (1.380 kW)
  22. ^ Mantelli; Brown; Kittel; Graf (2015). North American B-25 Mitchell. Edizioni R.E.I. p. 19. ISBN 9782372971997. R-2600-29 — 1,850 hp (1,380 kW)
  23. ^ Department of Defense Appropriations for 1959: Hearings Before the Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate, Eighty-fifth Congress, Second Session, on H.R. 12738, Making Appropriations for the Department of Defense for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1959, and for Other Purposes (Report). United States: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1958. R-2600-29A/35
  24. ^ NASM staff (2017). National Air and Space Museum Technical Reference Files: Propulsion (PDF) (Report). Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-07-22. ...R-2600-33...
  25. ^ Wilson, Stewart (1998). Aircraft of WWII. United Kingdom: Aerospace Publications. p. 116. ISBN 9781875671359. PBM-5 — two 2100hp (1566kW) R-2600-34; four-bladed propellors.
  26. ^ Aircraft Engine Listing, May 15, 1950 (Report). United States: U.S. Department of Commerce, Civil Aeronautics Administration. 1950-05-15. p. 42. R-2600-29... Take-off... HP... 1700...
  27. ^ Kittel; Graf; Mantelli; Brown (2017). B-24 Liberator - B-25 Mitchell - B-26 Marauder. REI (Rifreddo). p. 72. ISBN 9782372973243. R-2600-29 — 1.850 hp (1.380 kW)
  28. ^ Mantelli; Brown; Kittel; Graf (2015). North American B-25 Mitchell. Edizioni R.E.I. p. 19. ISBN 9782372971997. R-2600-29 — 1,850 hp (1,380 kW)
  29. ^ Department of Defense Appropriations for 1959: Hearings Before the Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate, Eighty-fifth Congress, Second Session, on H.R. 12738, Making Appropriations for the Department of Defense for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1959, and for Other Purposes (Report). United States: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1958. R-2600-29A/35
  30. ^ Wilson, Stewart (1998). Aircraft of WWII. United Kingdom: Aerospace Publications. p. 116. ISBN 9781875671359. PBM-5 — two 2100hp (1566kW) R-2600-34; four-bladed propellors.
  31. ^ Jane's 1998, p. 317.
  32. ^ Liss, Witold (1967). The Lavochkin La 5 & 7. Aircraft Profiles. Vol. 149. Leatherhead, Surrey, UK: Profile Publications. p. 3.

Bibliography

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  • 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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