Even my aviation history geekery has its limits

[major_clanger]

I was pointed to this eBay listing but I think, on reflection, I'll confine myself to building this.

Comments

[quercus.livejournal.com]

So you go home with one of his bargain-basement Avons instead, or even a dead-simple Palouste that you might even get running again. Still a result for him.

[non-trivial.livejournal.com]

Ah, ok - that hadn't occurred to me. How much *is* a bargain-basement Avon then? (I'm safe for the moment - no space for one!)

[quercus.livejournal.com]

Runnable gas turbines start with the Rover waterpump at £300 for a basket, £600 with gauges and ready to start. Bit more for a Palouste / Artouste which looks less like an accident in a plumbing works and is probably the simplest and most reliable to operate.

Couple of grand gets you an ex-aircraft engine that's capable of being started again (with work) and run. Thrust producing jets are a PITA as they don't like running at low thrust, but you can't hold them down if you open the fuel cocks up. Something '50s and centrifugal would be cute.

Double everything for an ex-helicopter turboshaft (i.e. shaft drive output), because now you're up against people who watch too much Scrapheap.

Avons are getting rare now post-Lightning and post PR9, and it's starting to be just the museum pieces that change hands. Haven't seen one on eBay in ages that didn't have obvious major pieces missing. Supposedly there are cheap(sic) Adours starting to appear now, post Jaguar.

[non-trivial.livejournal.com]

Although having a runnable gas turbine would be fun, I'd leave that to people with more time, space, and money than myself. What I'd like more realistically is a compressor disk or centrifugal impeller, as they're such wonderfully-shaped objects...

[quercus.livejournal.com]

I've got a few small centrifugal impellers (some small Yank APU) that I use as candlesticks. They look great, but the labyrinth seals are also razor-sharp!