U.S. Tank Repair Crew w/Continental W-670 Engine

Kit for a Continental W670 tank engine with maintenance crew

• Scale 1:35
• 2 figures
• Continental W670 tank engine
• Tank not included
• not built, not painted
• Paint and glue not included

The Continental W-670 was an air-cooled, seven-cylinder radial engine manufactured by the American company Continental Motors; developed starting in the mid-1930s, it was used in numerous aircraft and military vehicles. With a displacement of approximately 11 liters (670 cubic inches), the engine produced between 210 and 240 hp at roughly 2,200 revolutions per minute, depending on the specific variant. Thanks to its robust construction, comparatively low weight of around 210 kilograms, and high reliability, the W-670 became one of the most successful American radial engines in its power class.

The engine became particularly well-known for powering the Boeing-Stearman PT-17 Kaydet trainer aircraft, on which thousands of American and Allied pilots completed their basic flight training during World War II. Furthermore, the W-670 was used in numerous other aircraft types, including trainers, liaison aircraft, and agricultural planes. Its ease of maintenance, reliable air cooling, and smooth operation made it extremely popular with both military and civilian operators.

In addition to its role as an aircraft engine, the W-670 was adapted for use in armored vehicles. This version featured, among other modifications, a reinforced crankshaft and a drive flange suitable for connecting a clutch and transmission. It powered several American tracked vehicles, including the M2 and M3 Stuart light tanks, as well as the LVT-2, LVT-4, and LVT(A) variants of the Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT). Its compact design and favorable power-to-weight ratio made it particularly well-suited for light armored vehicles, where reliability and ease of field maintenance were crucial advantages.

The Continental W-670 is considered one of the most successful American radial engines of the pre-war and wartime eras. Its combination of simple design, high operational reliability, and versatility led to its use over many years in both aviation and military vehicle manufacturing. Notably, as the powerplant for the M3 Stuart and various amphibious landing craft, it contributed significantly to the mobility of U.S. forces during World War II and is today considered one of the most famous air-cooled radial engines of its era.