The
Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp is a twin-row, 18-cylinder, air-cooled radial
aircraft engine with a
displacement of 2,800 in³ (46 L), and is part of the long-lived
Wasp family. The R-2800 is considered one of the premier
radial piston engines ever designed and is notable for its widespread use in many important American aircraft during and after
World War II. During the war years, Pratt & Whitney continued to develop new ideas to upgrade this already powerful workhorse, most notably
water injection for takeoff in cargo and passenger planes and to give emergency power in combat.