(first run in 1934)

The Continental R-670 was a radial piston engine designed and built in the United States in the 1930 and 1940s.  Before World War 2 it was sold in small numbers for civilian use but during the war thousands were made for military use, in particular for Boeing Stearman PT-17 trainers.  It was known as the W-670 in civil and the R-670 in military use.

The Continental Motors Company began in 1905 making engines for trucks, cars and stationary use.  It produced its first aero engine in 1906.

The Continental Aircraft Engine Company began in 1929 when it released the A-70 radial engine.  In 1934 the company introduced the W-670 engine which was a bigger version of the A.70.

The Continental A.70 generated 126kW (170hp) and the W-670 generated between 168kW (225hp) and 186kW (250hp), depending on the version.

The W-670 was a popular engine for American light aircraft in the 1930s including a range of Waco light aircraft.  However it was not sold in great numbers due to the impact of the Great Depression (1929-1938) The United States military began ordering R-670s around 1941, primarily for the PT-17 primary trainer.  Over 6,000 of this aircraft were powered by R-670s and more than 25,000 R-670s were manufactured during World War 2.