In 1930 the US Army Air Corps initiated a study project known as 'Hyper-Engine' to obtain aircraft engines yielding 1 horsepower per cubic inch at a weight of less than 1 pound per horsepower delivered. Allison actually developed such an engine rather early, the V-1710, that would power the P-38 Lightening and P-51a among others. Suppose Packard was able to replicate or improve on the success of their prototype 5a-2500 engine which delivered 1500 horsepower in a package weighing about 1200 pounds, though the displacement was over 1500 cubic inches. Would this engine have an impact on late interwar airliner, bomber, fighter, or potentially marine engine development, especially if knocked off and incorporated into other projects overseas?
Please note that Packard *was* actually able to build such an engine by 1941 (V-1650), this thread is to assess opinions on outcomes if it could do so a decade earlier.
Please note that Packard *was* actually able to build such an engine by 1941 (V-1650), this thread is to assess opinions on outcomes if it could do so a decade earlier.