Engines

Not only is the Arkansas Air Museum home to some of the nation's most unique aircraft, it also houses rare engines. Workshop mounted and fully accessible, some are retired engines, some are special manufacturer's cutaways that show the inner working.

From a tiny two cylinder drone to the huge Rockwell H-1 rocket engine, there are powerplants on display from almost every age of aviation. The sketches on engines on display at the museum are just being built to add to your virtual tour of the Arkansas Air Museum. Keep checking back for additions to the A.A.M. website.

Allison V-1710-53

America's great liquid-cooled engine. The V-1710-53 engine was used primarily in World War II fighters such as the P-39, P-40, P-51 and P-38. The engine seen here is the "F" model Allison used in the P-38 Lightning.Allison V-1710-53 details.

Allison J-33

Whittle's Brother. If the Allison J-33 looks vaguely familiar, it is a direct descendant from the famous jet engine design of Frank Whittle. Whittle's first jet engine design, the WU, became the first production jet engine, the Whittle W-1. Allison J-33 details.

Allison-Rolls Royce

The Rolls Royce Spry. The Allison TF-41, also known as the Rolls Royce Spry, was used by several aircraft during the 1960s and 1970s. The turbofan engine produced 14,500 pounds of thrust. It was later developed on into a turboprop YT-56-A-3 that was originally designed for the Lockheed C-130. Allison-Rolls Royce details.

Curtiss-Wright Cyclone

The Thunder in the Sky. The last product of the Wright Company prior to its merger with Curtiss Aircraft, the Cyclone was one of the top nine-cylinder radials of the day. Curtiss-Wright Cyclone details.

Franklin O-425

Franklin's Six. Introduced in 1953, the six-cylinder opposed Franklin O-425 had a unique background. The unit shown at the AAM was typical of those used in light aircraft, but the Franklin was most often used with a vertical shaft for helicopter usage. Franklin O-425 details.

Franklin O-805-2

The Big Drone. This monster inline engine is a rarity. The 12-cylinder Franklin was used as the powerplant for the Interstate XBQ-5 drone. The Franklin was built by Aircooled Motors at the end of the Second World War. Franklin O-805-2 details.

Jacobs R-755-9

Shakin' Jake. Also known as the L-4, the Jacobs R-755 became widely used in various American aircraft during the Second World War period. Jacobs R-755-9 details.

Lycoming O-145-A1

The Flat Four. Introduced in 1938, the Lycoming flat four provided solid power -- 50 horsepower at 2,300 rpm. It was unique among the fours that appeared in the late 1930s thanks to its one-piece cast construction -- all four cylinders were cast with the crankcase. Lycoming O-145-A1 details. Packard 2A-1500

Fast, But Dangerous. These large V-12 engines were the descendants of the famous Liberty design of the First World War. These big Packard engines were frequently used in military aircraft in the 1920s racing and speed competitions. Packard 2A-1500 details.

Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp

The Double Wasp. America's first 18-cylinder radial engine, the Double Wasp set a new standard for piston engine performance. When it was introduced in 1939, the first models yielded 2,000 horsepower from the combined 2,800 cubic inches -- a power level unmatched by any air-cooled engine and better than most liquid cooled models. Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp details.

Ranger 440-C2

A Dirty Bird. The final design of a long-line of air-cooled inline engines, the Ranger 440 was used in the Fairchild PT-19 and PT-26 trainers. Evolving from the 1928 6-370 design by Fairchild, the first 440s were introduced in 1941. Ranger 440-C2 details.

Rocketdyne H-1 Rocket Engine

From the Earth to the Moon. The Rocketdyne H-1 rocket engine was a classic design and an integral part of the Saturn booster program. Built by the Rocketdyne Division of Rockwell International, the contract for the first H-1 was awarded on Sept. 11, 1958. Rocketdyne H-1 Rocket Engine details.

Westinghouse J 34-WE-48

The X-Power. One of several transitional engines designed during the 1950s, the J-34 was an axial flow turbojet engine used in a pair of military aircraft during the period. Westinghouse J 34-WE-48 details.