Meaning of the term "Double Wasp"

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Mon Jan 04, 2010 12:38 pm

In many books I have read down through the years I have come across the term "Double Wasp" when referring to a certain type of radial engine. So at this time I have to ask, just what is a Double Wasp engine? Thanks in advance.

famvburg · **Joined:** Fri Oct 07, 2005 9:41 am **Posts:** 540

It's just the name Pratt & Whitney gave their R-2800.

Zachary · **Posted:** Mon Jan 04, 2010 12:53 pm

In a nutshell the P&W R-1340 was a 9-cylinder radial called the "Wasp." The P&W R-2800 is an 18-cylinder radial - very basically two 9-cylinder radials put back to back, hence "Double Wasp."

Zack

Holedigger · **Posted:** Mon Jan 04, 2010 1:13 pm

It'll sting you more than once if you don't pay attention?!? :shock:

b29flteng · **Posted:** Mon Jan 04, 2010 1:38 pm

The 4-row, 28 cylinder, R-4360 was called the "Wasp Major".

The 2-row, 14 cylinder, R-1830 was called the "Twin Wasp".

CAPFlyer · **Posted:** Mon Jan 04, 2010 8:59 pm

And they were all called "Wasp" because the first engine so named reportedly sounded like a "swarm of angry Wasps" (at least that's what I was told many moons ago).

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 744

The R-2000 was also called "Twin Wasp" as it was essentially an upgraded 1830.

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Mon Jan 04, 2010 11:03 pm

Dont forget the 985 as the Wasp Junior

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Mon Jan 04, 2010 11:06 pm

Airlift48 wrote:

The R-2000 was also called "Twin Wasp" as it was essentially an upgraded 1830.

I would like to hear some opinions on the R2000. I just remember from a good family friend who overhauled radials and he had nothing but crappy things to say about the 2000. If I remember right, was cylinder issues.

engguy · **Joined:** Wed Mar 29, 2006 10:45 am **Posts:** 442

Frederick B. Rentschler's wife is the one that was supposed to have coined the "WASP" name.
I thought the story was she noticed that everybody at the factory was busy like bee's.

As a youngster I thought the name wasp was because of the sound too. Problem is only the prop makes that sound, not the distinct radial sound.
Funny all the Wright engines are named after wind storms. And the made in England engines were all greek gods and mystical stuff, I guess there are exceptions, like the Crecy.

AvroAvian · **Posted:** Tue Jan 05, 2010 6:12 am

Quote:

And the made in England engines were all greek gods and mystical stuff, I guess there are exceptions, like the Crecy.

Pommy engines are named after a few different things, eg:

Rolls Royce Piston Engines - named after birds of prey - eg the Eagle, Falcon, Kestrel, Merlin, Griffon.
Rolls Royce Gas Turbines - named after rivers in England - eg the Derwent, Dart, Avon, Trent (what pays the bills these days

)
Bristol Piston and Gas Turbines are named after Greek Gods - eg Jupiter, Mercury, Perseus, Taurus, Hercules, Centaurus, Proteus, Olympus, Pegasus.
DeHavilland Piston Engines AFAIK were just the Gipsy series.
DeHavilland Gas Turbines were all supernatural beings - eg Goblin, Ghost, Gnome.
Napier Piston Engines - named after cutlery - except for the Lion! - eg Rapier, Dagger, Sabre.
Armstrong Siddeley Piston Engines - named after wild cats - eg Puma, Genet, Lynx, Mongoose, Cheetah.
Sunbeam Piston Engines - named after peoples - eg Arab, Dyak, Maori.

rreis · **Joined:** Tue Aug 04, 2009 4:42 pm **Posts:** 441

mightyauster wrote:

Pommy

Pommy? Interesting, never heard/read that expression before. Do you know the origin?

gary1954 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:36 am

b29flteng wrote:

The 2-row, 14 cylinder, R-1830 was called the "Twin Wasp".

Commonly referred to as a "Twin Row"

AvroAvian · **Posted:** Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:40 am

"Pommy" is a "term of endearment" we Australians give to our brothers in England. I believe its origins are a contraction of "Prisoners of Mother England".

Aussies tend to have a bit of a love/hate relationship with our English brothers, especially when cricket and rugby is involved. Only in recent years we have allowed them to win a couple of times. :finga:

Anyone that has anything to do with British aeroplanes and electrics will soon tell you there is the right way, the wrong way and the British way of doing things. :butthead:

John Dupre · **Posted:** Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:58 am

Let's not forget the R-1535 Twin Wasp Junior. At one time Pratt and Whitney knew of only four survivors though I believe there are a few more out there.

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Meaning of the term "Double Wasp"

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