This book chronicles the development, production, and application of what was arguably the finest aircraft piston engine ever produced - the Pratt & Whitney R-2800. It powered many of the significant fighters and medium bombers of the conflict, and went on to power many other military and commercial aircraft.

Dive into the heart of wartime innovation and manufacturing through this groundbreaking book, unveiling a riveting narrative of technological mastery and organizational ingenuity. This meticulously researched work challenges conventional views of wartime production, offering a fresh perspective on the incredible efforts that drove the Allies to victory. Young's insightful analyses illuminate the strategic collaboration between the aerospace and automotive industries, showcasing their collective adaptation that created the engines powering victory. Spanning continents, Young examines the transformation of aircraft engine manufacturing during World War II. Unearthing the operations of key players such as the Bristol Aeroplane Company, Pratt & Whitney, and Wright Aeronautical, he sheds light on the monumental shift from traditional batch production to revolutionary quantity production. Readers will witness the birth of new factories, the development of advanced machine tools, and the innovation required to produce engines of unparalleled complexity and precision. Through Young's fresh perspective, the book unveils the intricate interplay of crisis techno-politics, engineering resilience, and the pivotal role of innovation in shaping the tides of history. This book is not just a study of the past; it is a critical foundation for understanding the dynamics of wartime production that continue to influence our world today. "Edward Young's reconstruction and analysis of the Allies' massive World War II aircraft engine programs is priceless, unique, thorough and critical - all at once." Philip Scranton Professor Emeritus, History of Industry and Technology, Rutgers University (ISBN 9781468606645, ISBN 9781468606652, ISBN 9781468606669, DOI 10.4271/9781468606652)