Wright R-2600 Twin Cyclone


The Wright R-2600 Cyclone 14 was an American radial engine developed by Curtiss-Wright and widely used in aircraft in the 1930s and 1940s.

History

In 1935, Curtiss-Wright began work on a more powerful version of their successful R-1820 Cyclone 9. The result was the R-2600 Twin Cyclone, with 14 cylinders arranged in two rows. The R-2600-3 was originally intended for the C-46 Commando. It was also the original engine choice for the F6F Hellcat; a running change for the CW-20A, and one in late April 1942 for the second XF6F-1, led to the adoption of the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp in the R-2600's place for both designs.
The Twin Cyclone went on to power several important American World War II aircraft, including the A-20 Havoc, B-25 Mitchell, TBF Avenger, SB2C Helldiver, and the PBM Mariner.
Over 50,000 R-2600s were built at plants in Paterson, New Jersey, and Cincinnati, Ohio.

Variants