The model jet engine (gas turbine)
A true turbine rc model jet engine adds the ultimate touch of realism to an rc jet, and commercially produced units for radio control use are now widely available and becoming more commonplace.
Turbine rc jet flying has become a big thing in recent years and there are some spectacular models around, large and small, but this aspect of the hobby is not for the novice!
Endless hours of flying experience and an impressive budget are needed to actively participate in flying radio control jets with real gas turbines. Even the smaller model jet engines can cost upwards of a thousand dollars - and that's on top of the cost of the jet itself, radio gear and all the other bits needed. So it's serious business indeed but ultimately has to be one of the most rewarding ways of enjoying rc flying... if you can afford it!
Incidentally, rc model gas turbine engines are also used in other rc aircraft types such as turboprops and helicopters but, from a personal point of view, I don't find scale turbine powered helis too realistic because of the sound - rc helicopters running on a turbine sound more like jets than helicopters (again, just a personal opinion!).
Shown right is a JetCat model turbine, one of the more popular commercially produced model jet engines readily available. JetCat USA are pioneers of this remarkable technology and offer some excellent turbine units.
Here's a good video of a JetCat P80 being bench run:
Before real model jet engines appeared on the radio control flying scene, rc jets always lacked the authenticity of having a true gas turbine; previously radio control jets had to be powered by either IC or electric motors with a propeller (thus spoiling the look of the aircraft) or ducted fan units. IC ducted fans are incredibly loud and so detracted from the scale characteristics of the model, but more recently electric powered ones (EDFs) have become very widely available, benefiting the hobby greatly.
Pulse jets were another option but these are more rocket motors than anything else, a pulse jet runs at full throttle for a short time and then the jet glides. Fun maybe, but not particularly realistic!
But now, thankfully, model jets can be powered by a fully functional and realistic looking and sounding jet turbine, thanks to manufacturers like JetCat!
How model jet engines work
A model jet engine design can vary slightly from one manufacturer to another but they all work on the same basic principle. The most common type nowadays is the centrifugal flow turbine as opposed to the lengthier axial flow turbine.
The big difference between centrifugal and axial flow turbines is in the stage of air compression. In a centrifugal flow unit, air entering the turbine is thrown outwards as it passes over the spinning impeller, or compressor. The air hits against the inside of the can at great speed and so gets highly compressed as it passes in to the combustion chamber. This intense compression increases the pressure and hence temperature of the air, making it more effective when it mixes with the fuel.
The kerosene based fuel, commonly called 'Jet A1', is introduced into the combustion chamber as a very fine mist and so mixes easily with the now highly compressed air. This fuel/air mixture is then ignited by a small glow plug, much the same as the one found on a 2 or 4 stroke model airplane engine.
As the fuel/air mixture ignites and explodes within the chamber the coned shape of the chamber and the incoming flow of new air forces the mixture rearwards towards the turbine; the rapid outward flow of the fuel/air mixture spins the turbine which in turn spins the compressor at the front of the jet engine (the turbine and compressor are connected by a central shaft), and so repeating the cycle.
The gases (exhaust) finally get squeezed through the narrowing jet pipe at the very rear of the engine, exiting at great speed and pressure thus generating the high levels of thrust associated with jet turbines.
The drawing below shows the basic principle of a centrifugal flow model jet engine:
Model jet engines need to be started with compressed air to initially power-up the turbine. This can be supplied from a diver's oxygen tank or a similar source. Only when the compressor has reached the necessary revolutions per minute (RPM) can the fuel be introduced into the chamber and the engine operate normally.
Below is another video of model jet engines in action, this time in a superb F-14 Tomcat:
Model jet engine reading
The actual technicalities of model jet engines for radio control use are obviously more complex than this page outlines, but aside from the wealth of information available on the internet there are some good books on the subject, worth considering:
Gas Turbine Engines for Model Aircraft
"I found the book easy to follow and I've found that Kurt Schreckling and Keith Thomas have made an excellent job of bringing the complexities of the gas turbine to a level the average person can understand and learn from..." (Amazon customer review).
Model Jet Engines
"Until I saw this book I didn't believe it would be possible for an amateur to build a jet engine, capable of running at 100,000 rpm . Kamps book explains clearly how, with a reasonably well equipped workshop, a model engineer can build an efficient working jet engine..." (Amazon customer review).
Use the search box to the right to search for more model jet engine books at Amazon:
