- Thread starter dgasper
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MarkB_MI
Well-known Member
- Location
- Motown USA
Interesting video.
The main problem with steam power for airplanes is the need to carry lots of water. Condensing the steam would create enormous drag; if it is not condensed you need to carry enough water to last the entire flight. This water has to be carried to altitude, which makes it very costly in terms of energy.
The main problem with steam power for airplanes is the need to carry lots of water. Condensing the steam would create enormous drag; if it is not condensed you need to carry enough water to last the entire flight. This water has to be carried to altitude, which makes it very costly in terms of energy.
John Harmon
Member
Well they state "10 gallons of water was sufficent for a 400 mile flight" Truth ,bragging,hearsay? we'll never know as headline says "1933".The Stanley Steamer Automobile was some what successful:SO"?JH
TomH in PA
Well-known Member
These guys were 100 years ahead of Besler. Except their's never got off the ground.
Henson and Stringfellow
Henson and Stringfellow
Did a little research and, yes, it flew quite well. A couple of things I didn't see in the articles I read. You have to sit and let the steam build up before you go anywhere. That was the big problem with steam powered cars. One other thing not mentioned. I'm afraid that it would only have been a fair weather airplane. With all that steam and moisture blowing back across the wings I'm afraid icing would have been a real problem. That would have been a real problem in the winter and also under certain conditions in the summer. Anyway turbine engines soon put an end to steam power.
Hi ldj: That's true. I had one prop reworked to take out nicks and other wear & tear issues etc and the tip was not as wide due to some deep nicks. The reworked prop pulled better but I sure got the questions from farmers about the louder noise. Another example was during my many years building/flying RC models of all sizes. I once had a small prop chucked into a very high RPM electric motor and got a lot of noise.
As a full size piston engine aircraft passes by overhead, listen to the change in type of noise. First is the prop sounding like loud mufflers on a V-8 Hotrod. Then after it passes further past, you can hear the lower frequency smoother noise of the exaust from the engine.. ag
As a full size piston engine aircraft passes by overhead, listen to the change in type of noise. First is the prop sounding like loud mufflers on a V-8 Hotrod. Then after it passes further past, you can hear the lower frequency smoother noise of the exaust from the engine.. ag
MarkB_MI
Well-known Member
- Location
- Motown USA
Steam engines can develop power at very low rpms. If you keep the propeller tips well below the speed of sound it cuts the noise substantially. I tend to believe it was very quiet, although probably not as much as they claim.
Hi again MarkB_MI and others: I went back and skimed through the 4 page story.. Enough water might be easier then the fuel oil for their 3 million BTU burner.. and it was indicated it used the prop that was on it before going steam. Stated RPM was 1625 which is about right for gas recips back then. ..and the prop pictured with steam looked like a standard recip prop back then. They claim 150 HP out of their twin cylinder double acting compound steam engine. Cylinders used were 3 by 3 inch for primary and 5.25 by 3 for 2ed cylinder and it looked like no gear reduction to the prop... It did not become common so there had to be problems other then steam clouds over wings and in pilots face.. ag
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