R2600

The R-2600, also known as the Cyclone 14, is a large, air-cooled radial aircraft engine developed by Wright Aeronautical in the United States. It has 14 cylinders arranged in two rows and a displacement of 2,600 cubic inches (42.6 liters). The engine was designed to deliver higher power for mid- to heavy-class aircraft during the World War II era.

Design and features: The R-2600 belongs to the Wright Cyclone family, sharing design traits with other Wright radials of the period. It is air-cooled and uses a crankshaft-driven propeller with a reduction gear. The engine employed a supercharging system to maintain performance at altitude, and it incorporated measures to improve reliability and ease of maintenance. Power output varied by variant and installation, typically ranging from roughly 1,600 to 2,000 shaft horsepower.

Operational history: Entering service in the early years of World War II, the R-2600 equipped a number of U.S. and Allied aircraft across several roles, including medium- and heavy-bomber and attack platforms. Production continued through the war and into the early postwar years, with multiple subvariants developed to improve performance, altitude response, and reliability. The engine influenced postwar radial designs and contributed to Wright's later Cyclone lineage.

Variants and legacy: A wide range of R-2600 variants were produced, differing in compression ratio, supercharger arrangement, fuel system, and designation. Today, intact R-2600 engines are on display in aviation museums, and restored aircraft occasionally fly with period-correct powerplants.