Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior

The Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior is a series of nine-cylinder, air-cooled, radial aircraft engines built by the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company from the 1930s to the 1950s. These engines have a displacement of 985 in3 (16 L); initial versions produced 300 hp (220 kW), while the most widely used versions produce 450 hp (340 kW).

R-985 Wasp Junior
Pratt & Whitney R-985 AN-1 mounted in a Boeing Stearman
Type Air-cooled 9-cylinder radial piston engine
National origin United States
Manufacturer Pratt & Whitney
First run 1929
Major applications Beechcraft Model 17
Beechcraft Model 18
de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver
Grumman G-21 Goose
Sikorsky H-5
Vought OS2U Kingfisher
Vultee BT-13 Valiant
Produced 1929-1953
Number built 39,037
Developed from Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp
Developed into Pratt & Whitney R-1535 Twin Wasp Junior

Wasp Juniors have powered numerous smaller civil and military aircraft, including small transports, utility aircraft, trainers, agricultural aircraft, and helicopters. Over 39,000 engines were built, and many are still in service today.

Design and development

Pratt & Whitney developed the R-985 Wasp Junior as a smaller version of the R-1340 Wasp to compete in the market for medium-sized aircraft engines. Like its larger brother, the Wasp Junior was an air-cooled, nine-cylinder radial, with its power boosted by a gear-driven single-speed centrifugal type supercharger. Its cylinders were smaller, however, with a bore and stroke of 5 3⁄16 in (132 mm), giving a 27% lesser total displacement. The Wasp Junior used many parts from the Wasp and even had the same mounting dimensions, allowing an aircraft to easily use either the smaller or the larger engine.[1] The first run of the Wasp Junior was in 1929,[2] and sales began in 1930. The initial version, the Wasp Junior A, produced 300 hp (224 kW).[3][4]

The U.S. military designated the Wasp Junior as the R-985, with various suffixes denoting different military engine models. However, Pratt & Whitney never adopted the R-985 designation scheme for its civilian Wasp Juniors, identifying them simply by name and model (e.g. "Wasp Junior A").

Pratt & Whitney followed the Wasp Junior A with more powerful models in the "A series". These had higher compression ratios, greater RPM limits, and more effective supercharging, and they led to the "B series". The first B series model was the Wasp Junior TB, which could maintain 420 hp (313 kW) at sea level and could reach 440 hp (328 kW) for takeoff.[3][5] The TB was tuned for best performance at sea level; it was soon joined by the Wasp Junior SB, which was tuned for best performance at altitude and could sustain 400 hp (298 kW) at altitudes up to 5,000 ft (1,500 m), with 450 hp (336 kW) available for takeoff.[3][6] A still later model, the Wasp Junior T1B2, had improved performance at low level, being able to sustain 450 hp (336 kW) up to 1,500 ft (460 m)[3][6] while still matching the SB's power at high altitudes.[7] The SB and T1B2, and later versions of these with similar performance, were the most popular Wasp Junior models. One later development of the T1B2, the Wasp Junior B4, was especially designed for vertical mounting in helicopters.[6][8]

During the mid-1930s, Pratt & Whitney developed a still greater improvement of the Wasp Junior, the "C series", with an even higher compression ratio and RPM limit. The only type produced in this series, the Wasp Junior SC-G, could sustain 525 hp (391 kW) at an altitude of 9,500 ft (2,900 m) and could produce 600 hp (447 kW) for takeoff.[8] It also included reduction gearing to allow the high-revving engine to drive a propeller at suitable speeds, hence the "-G" suffix. Aviator Jacqueline Cochran flew a special Model D-17W Beechcraft Staggerwing with this engine in 1937, setting a speed and altitude record and placing third in the Bendix transcontinental race. However, the SC-G never got past the experimental stage.

Operational history

Early versions of the Wasp Junior were used in various small civilian and military utility aircraft, but only in limited numbers. The type became more popular later in the 1930s. It was selected for the Lockheed Model 10A Electra twin-engined airliner, as well as for other small twin-engined civil transports like the Lockheed Model 12A Electra Junior, the Beechcraft Model 18, and the Grumman Goose amphibious aircraft. It was also used in single-engined civilian utility aircraft like the Beechcraft Staggerwing, the Howard DGA-15, and the Spartan Executive.

As World War II arrived, the U.S. military chose the Wasp Junior for the Vultee BT-13 Valiant and North American BT-14 basic training aircraft and for the Vought OS2U Kingfisher observation floatplane. Military versions of existing Wasp Junior-powered civilian aircraft were also produced, such as the military derivatives of the Beech 18, Beech Staggerwing, Grumman Goose, and Howard DGA-15. The Wasp Junior also powered some versions of the British Avro Anson and Airspeed Oxford twin-engined trainers. The demands of World War II led to the production of many thousands of Wasp Juniors.

Until the end of the war, the Wasp Junior's closest competitor was Wright Aeronautical's R-975 Whirlwind. However, during the war, the Wasp Junior was far more widely used in aircraft than the R-975, and Wright ceased production of the R-975 in 1945.

After World War II, many military-surplus aircraft with Wasp Junior engines entered the civilian market. New designs based on the Wasp Junior were also introduced, such as the Sikorsky H-5 helicopter, the de Havilland Beaver, and Max Holste Broussard bush airplanes, and agricultural aircraft such as the Snow S-2B and S-2C, Grumman Ag Cat, and Weatherley 201.

Pratt & Whitney ceased production of the Wasp Junior in 1953, having built 39,037 engines.[2] Many Wasp Junior engines are still in use today in older bush planes and agricultural planes, as well as in antique aircraft. Some antique aircraft, such as the Boeing-Stearman Model 75, which originally used other engines, have had them replaced with the Wasp Junior to provide more power or for easier maintenance, since parts for the Wasp Junior are readily available.

R-985 fitted to a DHC-2 Beaver

Variants
Wasp Junior A
U.S. military version: R-985-1[9]
300 hp (224 kW) at 2,000 RPM at sea level and for takeoff.[3][4] First production version.
Wasp Junior S2A
Wasp Junior TB, TB2
U.S. military versions: R-985-9, -11, -11A, -21, -46[9]
420 hp (313 kW) at 2,200 RPM at sea level, 440 hp (328 kW) at 2,300 RPM for takeoff.[3][5] Early B-series versions rated for sea-level performance.
Wasp Junior SB, SB2, SB3
U.S. military versions: R-985-13, -17, -23, -33, -48, -50; R-985-AN-2, -4, -6, -6B, -8, -10, -12, -12B, -14B[9][10]
400 hp (298 kW) at 2,200 RPM up to 5,000 ft (1,500 m), 450 hp (336 kW) at 2,300 RPM for takeoff.[6][11] Common B-series versions were rated for performance at altitude.
Wasp Junior T1B2, T1B3
U.S. military versions: R-985-25, -27, -39, -39A; R-985-AN-1, -1A, -3, -3A[9][10]
450 hp (336 kW) at 2,300 RPM up to 1,500 ft (460 m) and for takeoff.[3][6] Common B-series versions with improved sea-level performance
Wasp Junior B4
U.S. military versions: R-985-AN-5, -7.[9][10]
450 hp (336 kW) at 2,300 RPM up to 2,300 ft (700 m) and for takeoff[6][8] Vertically mounted development of T1B3, for helicopters
Wasp Junior SC-G
525 hp (391 kW) at 2,700 RPM up to 9,500 ft (2,900 m), 600 hp (447 kW) at 2,850 RPM for takeoff[8] Experimental high-powered version with propeller reduction gearing.

Applications

Engines on display
A Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior on display at the Frontiers of Flight Museum

Some museums which have Wasp Junior engines on display:

Specifications (R-985 Wasp Junior SB)

Data from FAA type certificate data sheet for the Wasp Junior SB;[6] dimensions from Pratt & Whitney (1956), p. A2.

General characteristics

  • Type: 9-cylinder supercharged air-cooled radial piston engine
  • Bore: 5 3⁄16 in (132 mm)
  • Stroke: 5 3⁄16 in (132 mm)
  • Displacement: 985 in3 (16.14 L)
  • Length: 41.59 in (1,056 mm)
  • Diameter: 45.75 in (1,162 mm)
  • Dry weight: 640 lb (290 kg)

Components

Performance

Specifications for different R-985 Wasp Junior variants
EnginePower, continuousCritical altitude[t 1]Power, takeoffCompression ratioSupercharger gear ratioOctane ratingDry weight
Wasp Jr. A[4] 300 hp (224 kW) at 2,000 RPMsea levelsame5.0:17:168565 lb (256 kg)
Wasp Jr. TB[5] 420 hp (313 kW) at 2,200 RPMsea level440 hp (328 kW) at 2,300 RPM6.0:18:180640 lb (290 kg)
Wasp Jr. SB[6] 400 hp (298 kW) at 2,200 RPM5,000 ft (1,500 m)450 hp (336 kW) at 2,300 RPM6.0:110:180/87640 lb (290 kg)
Wasp Jr. T1B2[6] 450 hp (336 kW) at 2,300 RPM1,500 ft (460 m)same6.0:110:180/87653 lb (296 kg)
Wasp Jr. B4[6] 450 hp (336 kW) at 2,300 RPM2,300 ft (700 m)same6.0:110:180/87684 lb (310 kg)
Wasp Jr. SC-G[8] 525 hp (391 kW) at 2,700 RPM9,500 ft (2,900 m)600 hp (447 kW) at 2,850 RPM6.7:110:1100864 lb (392 kg)
  1. This is the highest altitude at which the engine can achieve its full continuous power rating. Above this altitude, power falls off with height as with a naturally aspirated engine. See Supercharger#Altitude effects for details.

See also

Related development

Comparable engines

Related lists

References

Notes
  1. "The 'Wasp Junior'" (PDF). Flight. January 10, 1930. pp. 101–102. Retrieved December 23, 2009.
  2. Pratt & Whitney, Pratt & Whitney - R-985 Wasp Jr., archived from the original on February 10, 2010, retrieved December 20, 2009
  3. Pratt & Whitney (1956), p. A2
  4. FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet ATC 39
  5. FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet TC 85
  6. FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet E-123
  7. FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet TC 5E-1, see notes 5 and 6.
  8. Pratt & Whitney (1956), p. A3
  9. Pratt & Whitney (1956), p. A1
  10. FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet TC 5E-1
  11. Pratt & Whitney (1956), pp. A2-A3
  12. National Air and Space Museum, Pratt & Whitney Wasp Jr. R-985-AN-14B, retrieved December 25, 2009.
  13. Aircraft Engine Historical Society, Image Galleries by Gary and Janet Brossett: Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture Museum - Oshkosh, WI, archived from the original on December 12, 2008, retrieved December 25, 2009. This page has a photo of the museum's R-985 Archived 2011-04-11 at the Wayback Machine and several photos ( Archived 2011-04-11 at the Wayback Machine, Archived 2011-04-11 at the Wayback Machine, Archived 2011-04-11 at the Wayback Machine) of its R-985 teardown display.
  14. Hill Aerospace Museum, "Wasp Junior" Engine, archived from the original on May 25, 2011, retrieved December 25, 2009.
  15. Aircraft Engine Historical Society, Image Galleries by Gary and Janet Brossett: Hill Aerospace Museum near Ogden, Utah, archived from the original on August 27, 2009, retrieved December 25, 2009. This page has a photo of the museum's R-985 Archived 2011-04-11 at the Wayback Machine.
  16. Michel Charette, Aircraft Engines, archived from the original on May 3, 2009, retrieved December 25, 2009. This personal collection of museum aircraft engine photos has R-985 photos under the sections titled "From Canada's National Aviation Museum in Ottawa, ON", "From the SAC Museum in Ashland, NE", and "From the Museum of Flight new galleries in Seattle, WA".
  17. Aircraft Engine Historical Society, Image Galleries by Gary and Janet Brossett: National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida, archived from the original on August 27, 2009, retrieved December 25, 2009. This page has a photo of the museum's R-985 Archived 2011-04-11 at the Wayback Machine.
  18. National Museum of the United States Air Force, Pratt & Whitney R-985, archived from the original on June 2, 2010, retrieved December 25, 2009.
  19. Aircraft Engine Historical Society, National Museum of the USAF, archived from the original on July 25, 2010, retrieved December 25, 2009. The section "Images from Gary Brossett" has a photo of the museum's R-985 Archived 2011-04-10 at the Wayback Machine.
  20. http://neam.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&layout=edit&id=1075. "Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior"
  21. Pima Air & Space Museum, Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior, retrieved December 25, 2009.
  22. Aircraft Engine Historical Society, Image Galleries by Gary and Janet Brossett: Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, archived from the original on August 27, 2009, retrieved December 25, 2009. This page has photos ( Archived 2011-04-11 at the Wayback Machine, Archived 2011-04-11 at the Wayback Machine) of the museum's R-985.
  23. Southern Museum of Flight, Pratt & Whitney R-985-14, retrieved December 25, 2009 .
  24. Royal Air Force Museum, Pratt & Whitney R385 Wasp Junior, archived from the original on June 5, 2011, retrieved December 25, 2009. (Note page title has an error.)
  25. Aircraft Engine Historical Society, Image Galleries by Gary and Janet Brossett: Images from RAF Cosford, archived from the original on October 13, 2008, retrieved December 25, 2009. This page has a photo of the museum's R-985 Archived 2011-04-11 at the Wayback Machine.
  26. Queensland Air Museum, Queensland Air Museum: The Engine Collection, archived from the original on October 4, 2009, retrieved December 25, 2009.

Bibliography

The following Federal Aviation Administration type certificate data sheets, all available from the FAA's Regulatory and Guidance Library:

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