Production of the J31 started for the P-59 Airacomet in 1943, and by the time the lines shut down in 1945, a total of 241 had been built. GE also used the basic design to produce the much larger I-40 with 4,000 lbf, but this design was passed on to Allison as the J33.

The J31 (also known as the GE I-16) was the first turbojet engine mass produced in the United States and was based on the British Whittle-1. Development began in 1943, when the government believed that future tactical needs would require turbojet engines to use the same fuel as reciprocating engines.

It was developed from the original American-built jet engine, the General Electric I-A (which was a copy of the highly-secret British "Whittle" engine). The I-A powered the early test flights of the U.S.'s first jet aircraft, the Bell XP-59A Airacomet, and the more powerful J31 was used in production P-59As and P-59Bs.

About 250 were built, mainly for the Bell YP-59 and P-59A and B jet aircraft. This engine was further developed for the U.S. Navy as a 100-octane, gasoline-burning version of the standard GE I-16 engine, which normally ran on kerosene fuel.

This engine, a J31-GE-4, was a Navy version of the engine used in the Ryan FR-1 aircraft. It was similar to the -5 and -7 Air Force versions, except for the elimination and relocation of some accessories, and the rearrangement of engine supports.

When the government believed that future tactical needs would require turbojet engines to use the same fuel as reciprocating engines, GE further developed the engine for the U.S. Navy as a 100-octane, gasoline-burning version of the standard J31 engine, which normally ran on kerosene fuel.

A copy of the British "Whittle" engine, the General Electric J31 was the first jet engine to be mass-produced in the United States. It powered the Bell P-59 Airacomet designs. YOUR REACTION? AWESOME! Museum docent explains the workings of the J31 centrifugal turbojet.

Early flight tests of the first General Electric turbojet engine, the Type I-A, clearly showed the need for more power. GE followed with designs generating increased thrust, including the I-16, designated J31 by the military, which first ran in April 1943. About 250 were built, mainly for variants of the Bell P-59 Airacomet.

GE J-31 Turbojet Engine Specifications: Another General Electric GE J-31 Turbojet Engine. General Electric GE J-31 Turbojet Engine at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, NY : Weight: 850lbs Length: inches Diameter: inches Output: 1,650lbs thrust …

The J-31 (also known by its company designation, I-16) was the first turbojet engine produced in quantity in the United States. It was developed from the original American-built jet engine, the General Electric I-A, which was a copy of the highly secret British "Whittle" engine.