Engine

Wright R-540 Whirlwind

Aircraft Engines

The Wright R-540 Whirlwind was a series of five-cylinder air-cooled radial aircraft engines built by the Wright Aeronautical division of Curtiss-Wright, with a displacement of 540 cubic inches (8.85 litres) and power ratings of about 165 to 175 horsepower. It was the smallest member of the Wright Whirlwind family. Wright introduced the J-6 Whirlwind family in 1928 to replace the nine-cylinder R-790; the five-cylinder version began as the J-6-5 and took the government designation R-540, which Wright then adopted. It had a larger bore than the R-790 and a gear-driven supercharger. Designed for light aircraft, it powered types such as the Curtiss Robin, and over 400 were built in 1929 before Depression-era sales fell away. Wright ended five-cylinder Whirlwind production in 1937, leaving the small radial market to firms such as Kinner and Warner. It was also built in Spain as the Hispano-Suiza 5Q.

Facts
Year
1928 1
Cylinder Count
5 2
Classification
Configuration
Radial 1
Connections

Exemplifies

Aviation, Modes
Source Wright R-540 Whirlwind (Wikipedia)

Of Make

Source Wright R-540 Whirlwind (Wikipedia)
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Manufactured By

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Source Wright R-540 Whirlwind (Wikipedia)Lead, builder
Quote, Lead, builder
The Wright R-540 Whirlwind was a series of five-cylinder air-cooled radial aircraft engines built by the Wright Aeronautical division of Curtiss-Wright.
Sources
1. Wright R-540 Whirlwind (Wikipedia)
  • Design and development
    Wright introduced the J-6 Whirlwind family in 1928 to replace the nine-cylinder R-790 series.
  • Lead, cylinders
    The Wright R-540 Whirlwind was a series of five-cylinder air-cooled radial aircraft engines built by the Wright Aeronautical division of Curtiss-Wright.
  • Lead, builder
    The Wright R-540 Whirlwind was a series of five-cylinder air-cooled radial aircraft engines built by the Wright Aeronautical division of Curtiss-Wright.
  • In Group: Piston Aero Engines, Lead, piston aero engine
    The Wright R-540 Whirlwind was a series of five-cylinder air-cooled radial aircraft engines built by the Wright Aeronautical division of Curtiss-Wright. These engines had a displacement of 540 in³ (8.85 L) and power ratings of around 165-175 hp (123-130 kW). They were the smallest members of the Wright Whirlwind engine family.
  • Exemplifies: Aviation, Lead, aircraft engine
    The Wright R-540 Whirlwind was a series of five-cylinder air-cooled radial aircraft engines built by the Wright Aeronautical division of Curtiss-Wright. These engines had a displacement of 540 in³ (8.85 L) and power ratings of around 165-175 hp (123-130 kW). They were the smallest members of the Wright Whirlwind engine family.
  • Of Make: Wright Aeronautical, Lead, make
    The Wright R-540 Whirlwind was a series of five-cylinder air-cooled radial aircraft engines built by the Wright Aeronautical division of Curtiss-Wright.
  • Part Of: Curtiss Robin, Operational history, applications
    One of the more popular types to use it was the Curtiss Robin, a light civil utility aircraft.
View the Source
2. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum collection: Wright Whirlwind R-540 (J-6), Radial 5 Engine
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum collectionPhysical Description, cylinders
Quote, Physical Description, cylinders
Type: Radial, 5 cylinders, air-cooled
View the Source
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