As a descendant of Lestor Hendershot, I can tell you that such a thing did exist as the Hendershot Generator and was actually placed in Lindberg's plane. Lindberg was sent in by alphabet agencies to steal Hendershot's design for both engine and plane, as they copied the Spirit of St. Louis design after Hendershot's remote controlled model plane, the first of its kind. Hendershot wouldn't sell out, and he was eventually committed, given a lobotomy and 'died'. This explains much about the problems inherent in the design of the Spirit of St. Louis as an oddity. An amazing little known story.that needs to be told.

Don't take my word for it, do the dig and learn the dirty truth.