Approved by the Civil Aeronautics Authority last week was the second high-powered U. S. engine to be built inline, for streamlining into wings and fuselages of high-speed airplanes. Like the Army's 1,000-horsepower Allison (TIME, Jan. 30), which has much less head resistance than broad-beamed radials, the new Ranger has twelve cylinders in two banks. Unlike the Prestone-cooled Air Corps motor, it is air-cooled, has finned cylinders set head down below the crankcase for better pilot visibility.
Developing 500 horsepower, the Ranger is the lightest powerplant of its size in the world (1.28 pounds...