enginehistory.org

[bridding]

I have recently written a short(ish) history of the Pratt & Whitney company for the magazine of the local aircraft historical association that I am a member of. Before sending it off to the editor, I decided to check my facts (as we all should do!).
Initially when I wrote the story I used various websites, including Wikipedia (yes, I know!). Whilst checking, one of the references I used was the Pratt & Whitney Piston Reciprocating Engine Production page in the Reference section of this website. I had not previously used this document in the writing of my story.
The Wikipedia page on the R-2180-E Twin Wasp states that the engine was used to power the Saab 90A, which was about 1950. Wikipedia also states that the R-2180-A Twin Hornet powered the Douglas DC-4E, Republic P-44, and the North American XB-21, which was in the late 1930s.
When I compared this information to that on the Pratt & Whitney Piston Reciprocating Engine Production page, it was different. The Pratt & Whitney Piston Reciprocating Engine Production page states that the R-2180-E Twin Wasp was produced between 1937 and 1939. It also states that the R-2180-A Twin Hornet was produced between 1949 and 1951.
I then went seeking confirmation, one way or the other. Also in the Reference section of this website I found a document called Index of Twin Wasp, Twin Hornet and R-2180 Designated Engines (a photocopy of an original Pratt & Whitney document). This states that the R-2180-E Twin Wasp powered the Saab 90A (1950), and the R-2180-A Twin Hornet powered the Boeing (it was in fact the Republic) P-44 and the North American XB-21 (1930s).
From this, it appears that the document Pratt & Whitney Piston Reciprocating Engine Production is incorrect. It appears that the headings of the two columns were switched, as 75 R-2180-E Twin Wasp engines were produced for the Saab aircraft, the Piasecki XH-16 helicopters, plus one prototype. This is according to https://airandspace.si.edu/ .
I would be grateful if anyone can confirm or deny my findings.
I am posting this thread on both the Authors Corner and the Pratt & Whitney topics so others will not make the same mistake as me.

[kmccutcheon]