Model Turbine Engine in RC Model 1

[plasgears]

I recently observed a small turbine engine flown in a large radio control model. The engine was the size of my fist with a forward projecting shaft into the elect motor for starting. It had one igniter. They used propane for starting and kerosene for running. Worked fine; good throttle control, made in Germany.

Any further details about this? I see a possible extension into small homebuilt aircraft if scaled up.

 

[rmw]

Was it a turbine or a ramjet?

rmw

 

[ScottyUK]

Some other folks might have gotten there first with the model aircraft idea, but here's some manufacturers of micro turbines:

http://www.airtoi.com/ljet.htm#manufac

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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[ornerynorsk]

The guy who flew in the Swiss Alps and later across the Channel with his "modified glider" used small turbines to boost his glide ratio, from my understanding.

 

[plasgears]

RMW: This was clearly a turbine engine from all the visible and auditory details. The old Dynajet model was a ramjet with a distinctive 'whoooo' buzz sound.

 

[BigVlad]

I think you should read a current radio control model plane magazine like "RCM and E". The current level of technology is amazing. There are both pure gas turbines and turbo prop engines. Some of the advertised IC engines are around 160cc and over 16HP. Even more surprising (to me at least) are the advances in electric power for flight engines. These are said to be fully the equal of IC engines both in power and flight times - even up to 3HP or so.

 

[turbomotor]

Plasgears -

You may have described a model turbine engine made by Jet Cat. The German website is:

http://www.jetcat.de/jetcatturbinen/strahlturbinen.htm

The US website is:

http://www.jetcatusa.com/

 

[plasgears]

I am looking fwd to turbine engines upscaled to homebuilt size for one/two person capacity. Thanks for the leads from mini turbinen community.