On 8/24/06, Randy Bergum <organslave@earthlink.net> wrote:
> He claims 1,350 HP but aren't jet engines rated for Hp at some speed?
>

Usually they're rated by "thrust".  In this case, it think he got the
1,350 number from the original engine specs. It's a GE T58 helicopter
engine, developed in 1959, commonly used on all sorts of military
helicopters, like the UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) or CH-46 Sea Knight. The
particular one he has is probably a late 70's, early 80's model,
judging by the "1350HP" quote. The 1350 is its Shaft HorsePower (SHP),
a measurement of the work coming out of the turbine shaft at the front
of the engine, normally used to spin the rotors, run the hydraulic
pumps, etc. In his case, he's got nothing there. Thing is, those
engines were originally designed to transfer as much energy as
possible to the helicopter in the form of rotational energy on the
drive shaft, leaving as little as possible spewing out the rear as
fast moving  exhaust gases. He says he's modified it though, so he's
probably cut a bunch of the turbine blades out of the second section
to free up the flow out the rear. Without a static test against a
meter, it's anyone's guess how much thrust he's developing. Sounds
like a fun project though.

--
John Bange
'90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"