Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Jr. Radial Aircraft Engine- Side View, 1/4 Scale by Paul Knapp, Arizona, 2004
This is a replica of the 450-horsepower engine made by Pratt & Whitney from about 1930 to 1963. The model, when finished, will be like its big brother in that it will burn regular gasoline with dual-spark ignition, will have a mechanically driven supercharger (to increase atmospheric pressure for more horsepower) and will utilize a dry sump lubrication system.
Paul Knapp estimates that the engine’s 15.8 cubic-inch displacement will produce 10 horsepower at 4000 revolutions per minute. After Knapp completes the prototype, he plans to manufacture the engines.
The radial engine is much more powerful and reliable than the old rotary design used in earlier aircraft. R-985s were used in many aircraft, including the GeeBee R2, Beech 17 Staggerwing, Beech 18 and the de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver. Thousands are still in use today.
See Our Model Engine Collection at: www.flickr.com/photos/15794235@N06/sets/72157602933346098/
Courtesy of Paul and Paula Knapp
Miniature Engineering Museum
Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Jr. Radial Aircraft Engine- Side View, 1/4 Scale by Paul Knapp, Arizona, 2004
This is a replica of the 450-horsepower engine made by Pratt & Whitney from about 1930 to 1963. The model, when finished, will be like its big brother in that it will burn regular gasoline with dual-spark ignition, will have a mechanically driven supercharger (to increase atmospheric pressure for more horsepower) and will utilize a dry sump lubrication system.
Paul Knapp estimates that the engine’s 15.8 cubic-inch displacement will produce 10 horsepower at 4000 revolutions per minute. After Knapp completes the prototype, he plans to manufacture the engines.
The radial engine is much more powerful and reliable than the old rotary design used in earlier aircraft. R-985s were used in many aircraft, including the GeeBee R2, Beech 17 Staggerwing, Beech 18 and the de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver. Thousands are still in use today.
See Our Model Engine Collection at: www.flickr.com/photos/15794235@N06/sets/72157602933346098/
Courtesy of Paul and Paula Knapp
Miniature Engineering Museum