| Excellent high-resolution archived copy. Great illustrations and a great reference manual. Many detailed and comprehensive drawings and photos.
The V-1710 engine was the first product of an extensive Army program to develop a high-power, liquid-cooled engine. In fact, it was the only American liquid-cooled engine to see service in World War II. Design began in 1930 to replace the Maybach engines used by the U.S. Navy's airships. The contract was cancelled before the first engine was delivered after the airship Macon crashed in 1935. A redesigned engine passed its type-test in 1937 at 1,000 hp.
Limited resources during the Depression years slowed development, and it was not until December 14, 1936 that the engine first flew in the Consolidated A-11A, an experimental attack version of the Consolidated P-25. By 1938, the engine's output had been increased to 1,150 horsepower and was used to power the Bell X/YFM-1 multiplace fighters. The V-1710 was continually improved and during World War II its output was increased to 1,475 horsepower in some series engines. In fact, the initial rating of 1,000 hp was increased in stages to where the final V-1710-143/145(G6R/L) was rated for 2,200 hp.
Following the war North American built 250 P-82E/F airplanes that were operated in various air defense roles into the early 1950s. This was the final military role for the V-1710, but not the end of its useful life as thousands of the engines were available on the surplus market. In the 1950s Unlimited hydroplane racing became big sport across the US and V-1710s were often tuned for racing at up to 4,000 hp, power levels never anticipated when Allison designed the engine.
During WWII it was used primarily in the Curtiss P-40 "Warhawk" or "Kittyhawk", the Bell P-39 "Airacobra", and the twin-engine Lockheed P-38 "Lightning". It was also used in early versions of the North American P-51 "Mustang". It was later selected to power the Bell P-63 and North American P-82E/F series. In addition it was fit or studied as the powerplant for many experimental and test aircraft such as the Republic XP-47A, Curtiss XP-55 "Ascender", Boeing XB-38, and Douglas XB-42 "Mixmaster".
In total, over 70,000 V-1710s were built by Allison during the war, all at Indianapolis, Indiana.
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