The R-2800-43 was a specific dash number within the Double Wasp family, tailored for the Martin B-26 medium bomber. While the R-2800 is best remembered for fighters like the Hellcat and Corsair, the -43 variant demonstrated the engine’s adaptability to bomber installations where sustained cruise power and durability mattered more than peak emergency output .
R-2800-43 Specifications and Context
The primary subject of this technical guide focuses on the Pratt & Whitney R-2800-43 engine, engineered specifically for 18-Cylinder, 2-Row Radial, Air-Cooled applications. Below is an essential digest of this powertrain configuration.
• 18-cylinder two-row radial
• 45.9L displacement
• 2,000 hp at 2,700 rpm
• Powered B-26 Marauder variants
R-2800-43 Technical Data
45.9 L displacement from 18 cylinders in two rows; 1,491 kW (2,000 hp) at 2,700 rpm; bore and stroke 146 mm × 152 mm; dry weight 1,043 kg .
The Double Wasp’s cooling solution was its most innovative feature: thin, highly pitched cooling fins machined directly from the head forging, which solved heat dissipation problems that plagued earlier high-output radials. With water injection and turbo-supercharging, the R-2800 produced more than one horsepower per 16.4 cubic inches when introduced, delivering the greatest output at altitude of any engine in the world at that time . The -43 variant powered Martin AT-23A and B-26B through G models, plus the Curtiss C-46 .
| Configuration | 18-cylinder, 2-row radial |
|---|---|
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Bore | 146 mm (5.8 in) |
| Stroke | 152 mm (6.0 in) |
| Displacement | 45.9 L (2,800 cu in) |
| Power | 2,000 hp @ 2,700 rpm |
| Weight | 1,043 kg (2,300 lb) |
| Fuel | Aviation gasoline |
Aircraft Powered by the R-2800-43
This engine model is deployed across various operational frameworks. Here is a breakdown of the typical machine or vehicle applications using this unit:
Martin B-26B/C/E/F/G Marauder, Martin AT-23A, Curtiss C-46 Commando, Martin XB-26D/H
Pros & Advantages
Proven radial reliability; excellent altitude performance with turbo-supercharging; massive production run exceeding 125,000 units across all variants .
Cons & Disadvantages
Heavy for its power class; complex maintenance on 18 cylinders; requires careful cooling management at high power settings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What aircraft used the R-2800-43 specifically?
A1: The -43 variant powered Martin AT-23A, B-26B/C/E/F/G, XB-26D, TB-26G, XB-26H, and Curtiss C-46 aircraft .
Q2: How many R-2800 engines were built in total?
A2: More than 125,000 R-2800s were manufactured by Pratt & Whitney and its licensees before production ended in 1960, one of the largest production runs of any single aircraft engine model .
Q3: What made the R-2800’s cooling fins special?
A3: Thin, highly pitched cooling fins were machined directly from the head forging, solving heat dissipation problems that had limited earlier high-output radial designs .
Yes, the R-2800 family used turbo-supercharging and water injection to achieve high output at altitude, with the -43 configured for bomber installations .