J47 Turbojet engine test run 1
You've watched it being built for weeks, and here it is running up to 96% rpm in our test cell.
These classic F-86 Sabre engines do spit some fire on startup, and here with slightly less volatile fuel, we have a bit more fire than is normal.
But at no time during the entire test sequence did this engine experience a temperature outside the normal range, as specified by the manufacturer.
I get Bill to open the fuel supply valve at 500 rpm, and I immediately switch on the ignitors.
At 600 rpm I crack open the throttle, and move it to START, which is about 1/8 to full.
The engine lights and spits flames out the tailpipe, so I cut back on the throttle, but too much, and the engine quits.
Of course the starter is still spinning it, so I advance again to START, and then pull back to about 1/16 and let the flames clear from the jetpipe.
I then slowly advance towards IDLE, which is near 1/4 throttle, and signal Byron to shut off the electric starter at 2100 rpm, which is the specified starter cutout speed.
I take about a minute to bring the revs up to 3000, which is nominal idle speed.
After idling for 8 minutes, I slowly bring the revs up to 7640, which is the nominal setting for 90% power.
The thrust you see displayed is about 30% low, because the tailpipe nozzle is nearly 100 square inches too large in area for this engine to make optimal thrust.
Overall, this engine performed well, and didn't leak a drop anywhere.
A successful test run !