[AJCoholic]

Well, I thought it was a good day today to bring my AV8R down to the shop, dismantle my Wren MW 54 turbine and also do some work on the jet. Just to bring those who arent aware what I am doing up to speed - I am updating my MKII MW54 engine that I purchased in spring 2002, to the current MKIII spec. This entails purchasing a new compressor and compressor cover & a new two piece tailcone. I am also sending my rotor assembly (tubine wheel, shaft and spacers/bearings back to Wren to factory balance on their rig, and to inspect the bearings. The new engine will give me 2 additional pounds of thrust, up to 14.

I was very interested in seeing how the engine looks after three summers of use (about 17 hours total run time). To my surprise, when I took everything apart, it was VERY clean inside! Just a little burnt oil residue on the inside rear of the case. The combustion chamber was excellent, with no visable hot spots, and all sticks are like new. The compressor diffuser was clean and there was no dirt or built up of crap on any parts. Quite amasing since I fly from dirt/grass and the engine has been "upside down" and in the grass more than once. It is very easy to dismantle the engine, and my experience taking apart and reassembling my KJ66 a hundred or so times makes it seem easy now.

As for the AV8R, I took off the large, ugly wooden engine mount, and machined a nice, aluminum pylon mount. I am also getting a new case for my Wren, without the attached mounting ears that I spot welded on, so the new engine mounting will be clean, streamlined and should hopefully also add to my speed a little.

What a relaxing time. I find working on the turbines very soothing.. kinda' like therapy, no?

[nony]

I was thinking....d'ya think Flys RC would let you do a review on the Wren? ...a brand new one, I mean

[AJCoholic]

Why are you offering to donate one for testing??

[nony]

naw..just an excuse for you to get another turbine....

[AJCoholic]

I dont need another one just yet...

Right now I have KJ66's coming out the wazzooo! I bought two older Moores engines for parts (original 6 stick - KJ66 design) that I plan to resurect. New shafts, combustion chambers, injectors/fuel manifolds and possibly a few other parts for one (NGV) otherwise I think I can get both of them up and running again. Thats my turbine challenge for this winter!

And who said you can't do turbines "on the cheap"... ?

[tag]

Hey Andrew, I was wondering if your vapourizer sticks were the older stainless type or the newer inconel ones. Good to hear it is standing up that well. I have a couple of hours of run time on mine now but just on the test bench.

[AJCoholic]

Trevor,
When I bought my kit, it was April 2002 - and Wren had just switched the kit engines to Inconel sticks (as the SS ones were not lasting very long). I made sure I was getting Inconel when I ordered my kit.


I was working on cleaning up some turbine parts this evening, and measuring tolerances, etc on the KJ parts I acquired. Allready started to put another engine together... hopefully I will need to buy a minimum of parts (probably one NGV casting, definitley one chamber) and I can make the rest myself.

Anyhow, the MW54 parts are on the way to the UK...

[nony]

Trevor, what kind of thrust are you getting with that 2 piece tail cone ?

[gus]

Originally Posted by AJCoholic

Well,
......
What a relaxing time. I find working on the turbines very soothing.. kinda' like therapy, no? :)

Therapy is cheaper ... ;-)

gus

[Helijet]

[Therapy is cheaper ...

Ahhh..not necessarily....that's what I do for a living to support my jet addiction


Dean
www.helijet.ca[/quote]