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  • R-2800 "Double Wasp"
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    Pratt & Whitney

    R-2800 Double Wasp


    Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney
    Title: "Double Wasp"
    Configuration: Double Row Radial
    Cylinders: 18 (two banks of 9)
    Displacement 2,800 Cubic Inches
    Horsepower: 2,500
    Bore: 5.8 Inches
    Stroke: 6 Inches
    Compression: 6.7 to 1
    Supercharger: Two-stage mechanically driven (military version), one-stage commercial Weight: 2,350 lbs
    RPM's: 2,250 - 2,800
    Production Years: 1939-1960
    Quantity Produced: 125,334
    WWII Planes Used In: A-26 "Invader,"
    B-26 "Marauder," C-46 "Commando,"
    C-69E "Constellation," F4U "Corsair,"
    F6F "Hellcat," F7F "Tigercat,"
    F8F "Bearcat," P-47 "Thunderbolt,"
    P-61 "Black Widow," PBM-5 "Mariner,"
    PV-1 "Ventura," PV-2 "Harpoon,"
    SB2C-6 "Helldiver," TBY-2 "Seawolf"     		   R-2800 Double Wasp

    Notes: The R-2800 optimized the goals of any aircraft engine:   to achieve the lowest weight for the most power and the lowest specific fuel consumption. However, it required many years and design of the finest aerospace engineers of the 1920's and 30's to achieve this. During WWII, the R-2800 was used in the most significant fighter planes, due not only to its power, but also for its ease of maintenance and reliability.

    Additionally, radial engines appealed to the Navy and Marine forces because radials were air-cooled, and could withstand more ground fire (island/ship low altitude missions) than a liquid-cooled engine, which, when hit, could leak coolant, causing immediate engine failure. Some radials were known to have returned from missions missing partial or entire cylinders while still running.

    The Army Air Corps utilized the R-2800 in the European Theatre specifically in the P-47, as this plane was used for low altitude ground strafing, as the R-2800 could once again sustain ground fire far more than a liquid-cooled engine.

    Even after WWII, the R-2800 continued to serve in military and commercial applications into the 1970's, making it's production era one of the longest ever. Now the R-2800 has gained a new lease on life within the modern day era of "warbirds."

    IAM's diplay R-2800, currently located in the hanger along with some individual engine parts, originally was in the museum's Corsair, which served in the Honduran Air Force. After much use and weather, it was replaced. Although this particular engine was originally a military application, the serial numbers classify the engine as having not been the original of IAM's Corsair, but of a USAF transport plane. The R-2800 currently in IAM's Corsair originated from a 1960's commercial airliner.

    Be sure to stop in and see the IAM engine exhibit which includes a selection of internal R-2800 engine parts and a computer which displays the interal function of this radial engine through animated graphics.

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