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Wright Cyclone P-1, Radial 9 Engine, ca. 1925. Creator: Wright Aeronautical
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Wright Cyclone P-1, Radial 9 Engine, ca. 1925. Creator: Wright Aeronautical
About the middle of 1923, the U.S. Navy signed a contract with Wright Aeronautical for three large air-cooled engine designs, which were to be built successively. The first of these, based on a design proposed earlier to the U.S. Army by Charles Lawrance, was known as the P-1, and was the direct forerunner of the highly successful Wright Cyclone series of engines. In order to reduce aerodynamic drag, its design was limited to a frontal area no greater than that of the Navys Lawrance J engine, despite the fact that the P-1 had twice the displacement. The P-1 was tested extensively in 1924 in a Douglas DT-2 aircraft, and flown successfully in the Navy Douglas DT-6 and Boeing aircraft. However, magnesium alloy castings, being used for the first time, failed in endurance tests. The P-1 was then discontinued in favor of the larger P-2, which added Heron-type cylinders and a supercharger
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Air And Space Museum Air Transport Aircraft Aviation Engine Flight Nasm National Air And Space Museum Propulsion Propulsion Reciprocating Rotary Reciprocating Motion Rotary Engine Wright Aeronautical
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This print showcases the remarkable Wright Cyclone P-1, Radial 9 Engine, dating back to around 1925. Created by Wright Aeronautical, this engine holds a significant place in aviation history. In the early 1920s, the U. S. Navy commissioned Wright Aeronautical to develop three air-cooled engine designs consecutively. The first of these was the P-1, which laid the foundation for the highly successful Wright Cyclone series. The P-1's design aimed at minimizing aerodynamic drag and matched the frontal area of its predecessor despite having twice the displacement. Extensive testing took place in 1924 using a Douglas DT-2 aircraft, followed by successful flights on Navy Douglas DT-6 and Boeing planes. However, during endurance tests, newly introduced magnesium alloy castings failed to meet expectations. As a result of this setback, development shifted towards an improved version known as the larger P-2 engine with Heron-type cylinders and a supercharger. This photograph captures not only an important piece of engineering but also represents advancements in technology during that era. Preserved within Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum (NASM), it serves as a testament to America's rich aviation heritage. With its vibrant colors and intricate details visible through steel aluminum brass copper cadmium plating paint preservative coating magnesium rubber components, this image offers viewers an educational insight into propulsion reciprocating rotary engines from early twentieth-century United States.
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