Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone
The Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone is an American twin-row, supercharged, air-cooled, radial aircraft engine with 18 cylinders displacing nearly 3,350 cubic inches (54.9 L). Power ranged from 2,200 to over 3,700 hp (1,640 to 2,760 kW), depending on the model. Developed before World War II, the R-3350's design required a long time to mature before finally being used to power the Boeing B-29 Superfortress.
| R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone | |
|---|---|
| Type | Radial engine |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Wright Aeronautical |
| First run | May 1937 |
| Major applications | Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar Douglas A-1 Skyraider Douglas DC-7 Lockheed Constellation Lockheed P-2 Neptune |
| Number built | 29181 |
| Developed from | Wright R-1820 Cyclone |
| Developed into | Wright R-4090 Cyclone 22 |
After the war, the engine had matured sufficiently to become a major civilian airliner design, notably in its turbo-compound forms, and was used in the Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation airliners into the 1950s. Its main rival was the 4,360 in3 (71.4 L), 4,300 hp (3,200 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major, first run some seven years after the Duplex-Cyclone's beginnings. The engine is commonly used on Hawker Sea Fury and Grumman F8F Bearcat Unlimited Class Racers at the Reno Air Races.