The Pratt and Whitney R-2800 double wasp was an 18-cylinder radial engine used to power American military monoplanes during WW2 and the Korean War. Three of the best fighter aircraft of that period were equipped with this reliable and powerful, piston-driven, internal combustion machine; the P-47 Thunderbolt, F4U Corsair, and the F6F Hellcat. It was produced from 1939 to 1960. It was also part of the B-26 Marauder bomber powerplant.
Technical Characteristics
The Pratt & Whitney R-2800 was powered by 18 cylinders, which were arranged radially around the crankshaft in twin rows. It delivered 2,000 horsepower. The R-2800-54 variant put out 2,100 HP. It was air-cooled and 2,800 cubic inches. Each cylinder featured two Poppet valves and employed 100/130 octane gasoline for the combustion. The engine was equipped with one Stromberg injection carburetor.
Engine block was made of cast steel. The front section of engine was fitted with a hollow, splined propeller shaft. Some P-47 aircraft operated with Hamilton-Standard propellers, which used oil fed from the engine oil system to hydraulically actuate prop pitch changes.
Below, phantom-line view of the Pratt and Whitney R-2800 double wasp engine, showing piston rods and valve set-up.
A photo of the famous powerful radial engine
Below, cut-away view of Pratt & Whitney R-2800's front section
