Jetex engine

Just returned from the flying field. Today's Jetex launch was scrubbed. Winds were over the top bad. I had 3 Jetex planes with me scheduled for 12:00 flight. Not only was it windy, it was cold as could be even flurrying. I managed to get one flight on the Drone Diesel .29 converted to glow. I've always started the year off flying this one since I purchased it years ago.

fredvon4 wrote:asked       where do I get asbestos paper?

I know a tongue in cheek ask....but I gotta respond anyway....If you are smart, you don't!

There are a few ways to fire / heat proof areas of our craft....black high temp RTV is surprisingly heat proof but not fire proof...so put a layer of metal foil over the RTV

The risks of asbestos have been greatly exaggerated by the media  [and I am a chemist/biochemist by training]   In anycase as has been stated, self adhesive aluminium foil (which wouldn't have been available in the heyday of Jetex (the 50s)  is a better option. another alternative is mica-which you can find in just about any old domestic toaster-its the support the toasting element is wound on.

As regards the composition of Jetex fuel-the proportions and components were a well guarded secret-but the major component was guanidine nitrate.....you'll note in the reference below that it even gets specifically mentioned in regard to Jetex...                    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guanidine_nitrate

ChrisM
'ffkiwi'

Yesterday was rain and very wet conditions but the temps were very nice. Today would be optimal to try again but unfortunately I have other obligations. I have 3 engines loaded and I don't like leaving the pellets in them as I have experienced corrosion issues with the fuel pellets on the cases. Once fired, it's a must to use a plumbers fitting brush and clean out the residue. A piece of Scotchbrite works very well to clean as well. The newer Jet-X is worse in terms of oxidation, it's extremely difficult to open the engine once fired and the pellets really oxidize all aluminum portions of the engine. The Jet-X utilizes a all aluminum body whereas the Jetex 50 I have is all steel. Jetex underwent many variants over the years to all steel, half steel and also aluminum casings and nozzles such as the Psst .50.

A friend just gifted me a used #50B engine complete with instructions, bracket and box, but no pellets, fuse or ash screens. They were made in Scotland and imported back in the day by American Telasco, Ltd. in Huntington, NY (no zip). I wonder if Ian knows how to procure the consumables for these.

I am afraid I don't know any source of pellets for these aside from scouring Fleabay for old stocks.

I did have one of these in the late 1960s and rember that you had to scrape the coating of the face of the pellets to get a successful burn. The fuse supplied wasn't often long enough and so be used magnesium ribbon (not recommended).

We even used the powder from fireworks rockets instead of pellets but that didn't last long at all and had no oomph.

The last experiment was with aluminium oxide and we melted the case!

There is a Jetex followers site

https://www.jetex.org/index.php/faq

Never had a successful flight with one but did power a boat and a car.

Following that we removed the stick from a fireworks rocket and stuffed it in a cigar tube. Again not recommended, we were lucky to not start a fire - well, actually, we were lucky to be able to put one out!

Ian, I did manage to get 3 flights 2 weeks ago. Nothing to brag about, the plane wasn't trimmed properly so it banked left and went in. Under power it was working. I wasn't certain as to what to expect and I was using only one pellet. Ideally, the one burns approximately 7 seconds. It seemed more like 5 to me so I should've put in two pellets as this would've gained altitude and the plane would've recovered on it's banking turn. I did get some video but there's some unacceptable language on it. I have mentioned to my flying partners to refrain from using it when were trying to make a video. I can't wait for another chance at making another attempt.