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The Yakovlev M501 was originally a 42cylinder monstrosity, designed to power the USSR's heavy bombers after the end of WWII. When it was discovered that jets would be a more viable option, the colossus was given a second life powering fast attack missile boats. If the 42 cylinders weren't enough already, they later upgraded it to a 56 cylinder version, then coupled two together into a 112 cylinder abomination.

This is the story of the single largest aviation radial engine ever designed and produced.

Script was written, narrated, and recorded by Ben Bailey
Research was mostly gathered from William Pearce at https://oldmachinepress.com/

#WW2Aviation #AviationHistory