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The last thing on my bucket
list after all the vehicle restorations and rebuilds was to build
a pulse-jet engine driven vehicle. With very little available
information I began the drawings for the engine in late 2021.
I purchased a 1922 Austin 7 rolling chassis which I restored
and rebuilt with many modifications, like central sitting and
steering position, change to all wheel central brake system and
a considerable amount of lightening of the vehicle. After purchasing
all the required stainless steel a friend undertook the stainless
TIG welding. The completed twin pulse-jet engine was mounted
on the vehicle and the first test fire-up in my back garden was
successful using LPG gas. (all work was undertaken in my back
garden garage). Only Butane (LPG) gas is available in New Zealand,
unfortunately Propane is not available in bulk. Although the
LPG was successful it had only low power output thrust. Throughout
2023 and 2024 improvements and modifications were undertaken.
The first was to change over to a liquid propellant after starting
on gas and then later augmented afterburner's were added. During
the early part of 2024 it was decided to build a vehicle with
speed in mind. a dragster type vehicle was purchased and altered
to suit a new larger tripple pulse-jet engine. |
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Above. The Austin 7 rolling chassis as
purchased. Below. Car altered, rebuilt and first
part of power setup installed. |
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Above. The twin pulse-jet engine under
construction in my garage/workshop.
Below. The first
unsuccessful experiment with diesel injection setup. |
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Above. Waiting for the rain to stop at
the Mangakino Show. Below. All ready and waiting for the
time of fire-up. |
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Below. Flame up first on gas, then when
on pulse change to liquid fuel, and the crowd gives an indication
of the pulse noise level. |
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Above. The new dragster project starts
to take shape. Below. The dragster is to be powered by
a tripple pulse-jet engine this time. I have rolled all the tubes
and cones on a borrowed old slip-roller, and construction of
the new engine begins again in my workshop. |
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All rights reserved copyright Colin
Brookes January 2025 |
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