In
1939 Chrysler was
contracted by the US government to create a new engine for use in fighter
aircraft. Chrysler responded by designing an inverted V16. They tried many
designs before choosing a design with a hemispherical combustion chambered
OHV head. The big
V16 was rated at 2500hp. it was finally tested in June of
1945. It was installed in the
P-47 Thunderbolt in
place of a
radial engine. This
airplane was designated the XP47H. The change in engine and aerodynamics
increased the top speed from 439mph to 504mph. The war ended shortly, and
the hemi V16 was never
mass-produced,
although the basic design and
valvetrain setup live on
in today's
Hemi
V8s.