Are engineering drawings available for the Wright Cyclone R-1820-97 engine?
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Deleted member 68059
Staff Sergeant
- 1,058
- Dec 28, 2015
The corporate archives of Wright Aeronautical did not survive in the company itself and I believe were disposed of. It is of course possible that remnants remained with some machine-shops etc and there are WAero files in the US govt archives (not currently accessible due to US Govt shutdown) but I would rate your chances of finding proper engineering drawings as about zero without very very serious research. Also people tend to spend years and large amounts of money tracking down things like this so it helps if you refine your request a bit further than "can I please have your documents". 
E.g. explaining what it is you intend to use the drawings for is a very good starting point.
E.g. explaining what it is you intend to use the drawings for is a very good starting point.
swampyankee
Chief Master Sergeant
- 4,020
- Jun 25, 2013
The Wright 1820 is still in limited use; there are probably one or more overhaul shops with many of the drawings. Ask nicely and offer to pay for copies.
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- Thread starter
- #4
The corporate archives of Wright Aeronautical did not survive in the company itself and I believe were disposed of. It is of course possible that remnants remained with some machine-shops etc and there are WAero files in the US govt archives (not currently accessible due to US Govt shutdown) but I would rate your chances of finding proper engineering drawings as about zero without very very serious research. Also people tend to spend years and large amounts of money tracking down things like this so it helps if you refine your request a bit further than "can I please have your documents".
Thanks for the info - such a shame so much has been lost due to fires and neglect. I do understand the considerable time and resources people put into their research. Many years ago I spent several thousand on Lancaster engineering drawings. Unfortunately there are always missing or illegible drawings that make detailed research a very frustrating business. Filling those gaps can be an impossible task unless you have direct access to a restoration project.
Avialogs has several 1820 manuals online (under "Cyclone 9") including the overhaul manual and IPC for the GC (earlier the G200, the -97 was the turbo assisted version of the G series). The IPC (parts catalog) views appear to be exclusively isometric, however.
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- #7
Timebandit3
Recruit
- 4
- Jun 5, 2011
Check with the National Air And Space museum archives, They have tremendous resources for you.
When Curtiss Wright stopped support of engines, they scrapped all parts and donated microfilm drawings to the NASM. A manager at CW had told me that he didn't know what happened to the original drawings but the microfilm had drawings from before WWI.
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- #11
bse7entn
Airman
I have some maintenance manuals for a couple of Wright Cyclone R-1820 engines, though to be honest I'm not sure what, in the engine itself, distinguishes between the different models of the 1820.
The manuals do have some orthographic illustrations. I know they're not ideal as they're not full blown engineering drawings but finding this information has been challenging.
The manuals do have some orthographic illustrations. I know they're not ideal as they're not full blown engineering drawings but finding this information has been challenging.
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- #13
Thanks, I have noticed some differences in the cylinder head fins and the engine case that the barrels attach to. Will have to try to dig out a good clear copy of the maintenance manual for the 1820-97 (Cyclone 9 / 9 Series) engine. Will also see what the Smithsonian has.
bse7entn
Airman
Here are some terrible phone photos of the physical manuals I have on the Wright Cyclone series 9 engines.
If anything here seems helpful I'll break out my equipment and take good images.
If anything here seems helpful I'll break out my equipment and take good images.
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- #15
Thanks, I have noticed quite a few differences in the cylinder head fins and the engine case that they attach to. Will have to try to dig out a good clear copy of the maintenance manual for the 1820-97.
Thanks for the kind offer, what a nice collection! I believe there are some decent (but limited) scale drawings in at least one of these manuals but I haven't done enough research yet to know which one. I'm going to have to capture the image without introducing distortion for it to be useful in CAD so I guess a phone pic is out of the question.
Will see if I can find myself a copy and will get back to you if I have no luck. Cheers.
bse7entn
Airman
No worries. I have a 24 megapixel camera with fixed 60mm macro lens that takes amazing document images. I have soft lighting and a magicarm mounted to a horizontal bar that let's me take very nice orthographic images with limited distortion. It's the best way I've found to do this without dismantling the books. Scanners don't work, because of the binding.
It's a process but it's worth it.
And now I have a service manual on the way.
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- #17
Wow, now you've got my attention, that's quite a set up.
I'd be very grateful if you could capture me some accurate 3 views if you get a spare moment. If they have dimensions then even better. Happy to put something towards it, just let me know.Cheers
bse7entn
Airman
Sorry this took so long. This is a foldout chart from the back of the service manual I just got. Fortunately the manual is assembled with screws so I was able to take this out and scan.
Please keep in mind there may be some slight discrepancies as I had to scan this is four pieces.
Please keep in mind there may be some slight discrepancies as I had to scan this is four pieces.
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
Not sure if this would be of any help or not, but Studebaker manufactured the R-1820-97 under license between 1942 and 1943.
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- #20
That's superb bse7entn, thanks so much for your efforts - it should make a great basis for a model. While most of these dimensions are for attachment points and outlets, I can estimate the component dimensions from them. If you ever notice any real dimensions quoted for the major assemblies then it would be great to have that confirmation please. Thanks again for your help with this, very much appreciated.
