Many
other folks have put turbines to work in their projects
I
find it interesting to see what other 'turbine guys' have
created.
In
my travels around the Internet I found many folks had successfully
applied 'turbine
technology' to their current interests.
Here's a few interesting links I found and some photos people
sent me showing their turbine creations.
There's
lots of weird turbine creations to be seen online
Boat
Racing action can be seen at Offshore
Super Series, Pacific
Offshore, Offshore
Performance Association, and Blue
Water Offshore Racing Association.
Here's an impressive 202
mph boatride and a high
speed pass. Here's a collection of fifteen Ridiculous Rocket and Jet-Powered Vehicles. Jason is installing a 1600hp Turbomeca Turmo gas turbine in a 36ft aluminum Cougar Cat.
Lots
of Turbine Videos are posted online
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Online video is now 'coming of age' and there are many
sites with lots of interesting turbine movies. This
guy put two
turbines on a bicycle. Here's a high speed pass
by a turbine
powered boat. Jay Leno fires up his turbine
powered bike.
Here's
some really wild Offshore
Race Boat
Crashes and here's a wild video of the Fat
Boy Offshore Racing Team. Take a ride with Ken
Warby in his 9,000
HP Jet Boat. Here's a Rocket
Powered Bicycle and a 202
mph race boat. Here's a gas turbine powered Indy
500 race car, golf
cart, tractor
pull, S-10
pickup, and motorcycle.
Here's some twin turbine powered boats: War
Bird, Aqua
Doll, Miss
Geico, Marine
Turbine Technologies, Bacardi
Silver, Offshore
Championship, and Poker
Run.
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The
T-58 and Gnome can easily be modified for thrust
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The
General Electric T58 and the Rolls Royce Gnome gas turbine
engines are easily converted to thrust and can be seen
powering a Velocity
Jet, a Burkut
Jet, a Cozy,
another
Cozy, a Maverick
TwinJet and a Sipa
Mini Jet 200. Frank DeLia's T58 Jet Bike (shown
on the left and right) is equipped with two afterburners
(one for 'flames' and one for additional thrust). Here's
another T-58
powered drag bike, another T-58 powered jet bike, a Twin
T58 Jet Powered Toyota MR2, a T58
powered VW Bug, a T58
powered Venturi Motorcycle Streamliner, a T58
powered quad a T58 powered ATV, and a T58 powered funnycar.
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Frank
was having a problem with his Jet Bike, so I took a
break to help him out and get it 'back on the road'.
After troubleshooting, I replaced the Fuel Control and
made few adjustments. Now he can get full throttle again
(and attain speeds in excess of 200 mph in the quarter
mile). Pardon the background clutter in my shop; it's
the housekeepers day off.
I
fired it up for a few 'high power' turns in the driveway.
No my neighbors don't mind; since I'm the one they call
to replace the hot water tank, fix the outboard motor,
troubleshoot the furnace, tune-up their boat, fix the
roof, etc. More about Jet Bike.
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This
will blow you away; here's a video of a guy who straps two
jet engines onto his ankles and goes
flying! This guy straps on a composite wing with four turbines and jumps out of an airplane!
Some tips for your starting on your own Turbine Powered project
I
get a lot of e-mail's asking the same thing: "I have
a 1963 Whatever-U-callit and want to put a turbine in it.
What turbine do you recommend?"
I can't begin to guess what turbine may work for your application.
But I can offer a few tips that may help you get started.
Identify
your horsepower requirements and size constraints. Here's
where your 'homework' will pay off. Don't put yourself in
a situation where you're trying to cram a long turbine in
a tight space (like under the hood of your car). Don't end
up with a 'monster turbine' that only puts out a fraction
of the power you need or one that outputs a high RPM when
you need a slower output.
Research
and identify what turbine models may suit your needs. There
are many online sources for jet
engine specs where power, weight, and size can be compared. Another list of aircraft engine specs.
Narrow your preferences to a handful of makes/models and make
a list by model number. Learn the details of those models;
is the output shaft on the 'cold end'? Does the exhaust exit
the side? What is the idle speed? Research your choices to
see the details and review the specs of each one. You should
end up with a short list of turbine models that will work
for your application.
Now
you can try to locate a turbine for your project. I recommend
you contact and visit an aircraft salvage yard. You can also
search the web to locate surplus, used, and new aircraft engine
sources. You'll quickly realize the prices are 'all over the
place' and there's a lot of junk mixed in with 'the good stuff'.
Go see it in person or (if that's not possible) request lots
of detailed photos. Do the photos show the turbine engine
sitting in the dirt? Are all the protective covers properly
installed? Does it look like the housekeeper has been on vacation?
Or was the housekeeper fired last year? Be sure and ask lot's
of questions: When was the last time it actually ran? Does
the seller warrantee the turbine? What parts are missing?
Will it be properly crated (covers installed, all openings
sealed, wrapped in plastic sheeting) for shipment or just
'strapped to a pallet'. Was it properly preserved after it
last ran? If the seller gives you a blank stare, you'd better
run as fast as you can out the door.
Once
you purchase your turbine, ensure you get your hands on all
the correct publications (maintenance manual, operators instructions,
safety bulletins, etc.) and take the time to become familiar
with standard aircraft maintenance practices and safe operating
procedures.
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Before
you attempt to start your turbine, ensure you are familiar
with all safe operating procedures. Safety is paramount.
Seek out the advice of a 'local expert'. Ask lots of
questions to ensure things are setup correctly, procedures
are followed, and safety guidelines adhered to before
someone gets hurt or property gets destroyed.
Follow
standard Aircraft Maintenance Procedures while designing
your turbine powered project. If you are not familiar
with Aircraft Maintenance, take the time to see how things
are done and seek the help of those who are experienced
with each system (fuel, electrical, hydraulic, etc.).
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This
list is not designed to cover all areas. It is merely designed
to 'stimulate thought' and get you thinking about safety.
Don't 'cut corners' or sacrifice quality. Do the job right
the first time, correctly, and safely. Follow proper, established
aircraft maintenance procedures. Know your limits and ask
questions from someone who has aircraft maintenance experience.
Let's
be safe out there!
Be sure to check out Rob's V-6
powered Fiat Spider.
Thanks to Skagit
Media for donating the site hosting.
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