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This is my friend and fellow turbine associate
getting ready to take-off in his Mitchell Wing B-10J powered with a modified JFS 100 turbine engine. The engine was changed to produce around 85 lbs. of thrust. The engine sound, when flying, is really super. |
| This is a single-place experimental helicopter
using a SOLAR T-62 16B turbine. The engine was modified with a 12 volt starter and although I did not get to see it fly, the builder did have a video of it during a test flight. He did a great job. |
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This engine is definitely a "one of a
kind". This one was spotted at a stationary engine show in Portland, Indiana. It was found at the old Studebaker automobile plant, and dated from the 1930's. It is a turbine with electric start, note motor in lower right. The concept behind it's construction is unknown, but the fuel used was GUNPOWDER. That's right, gunpowder. It had an electrically fired chamber filled from a hopper. I assume it was not a continuous burn, but a series of individual charges. It may have been planned for use as a starter system for a larger engine of some sort. An UPDATE from a site visitor suggests the starter is really a dynamo used to test the power of the unit. I tend to agree. |
| This is the newest addition to my jet collection. It is the pulsejet from "Hades". It was made by Solar (same as my T41) to go on a Firefly target drone for the Navy. It was tested at 110 pounds of static thrust. The sound is unusual as you tend to feel it run more than hear it run. It fires at a low frequency and makes your windows, dishes and entire body vibrate. Note tiny little spark plug by by my right leg for ignition. First thought for use was a go kart, but it is a bit long. TO HEAR A SOUND BYTE OF THE ENGINE RUNNING, CLICK ON PICTURE AT RIGHT (for full effects, turn volume up at your own risk) |
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OK this is not a turbine, but most of the later
steam locomotives did use steam operated turbine generators to run their electric systems. This engine is a Hudson 4-6-4 in 3/4 scale, 3 1/2 gauge. The engine alone weighs 140 lbs. and was built in the 1950's. For those who think STEAM is DEAD,think again. The most modern nuclear power plants are still steam generated. The nuclear fuel is used to do nothing more than boil water. |
| This is a friend's project in Michigan. He has an helicopter flight service and uses this John Deere Gator to haul fuel and place ride signs at local festivals. Since his helicopter is turbine powered he decided to convert the JD to turbine power. The only clue to it's unusal power plant is the HUGE exhaust pipe out the side, until he spools up. Then the fun begins. He converted his governor to throttle control, plus, has an hydrostatic transmission. The combination works out very well. I got a chance to drive it and top speed is 33 mph compared to the original 14 mph. I am very impressed with the great job he did. |
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