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Steam
Turbines |
United Kingdom - Manufacture date:
1976
Bore = N/A , Stroke N/A, Rotor diameter
= 1 1/4"
Style: Steam Turbine |
# 1 - Dimensions: 6" length x 3" width x
3" height
# 2 - Dimensions: 4 1/2" length x 2" width x
2" height
# 3 - Dimensions: 2 1/2" length 1
1/8 ?" width x
2 3/4" height |
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The 3 Turbines |
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These steam turbines were purchased on Ebay.
I'd seen Empire toy turbines but couldn't see bidding on one considering
the construction of their steam engines. I've watched for handmade or factory
miniature turbines for several years without success. I was quite pleased
when I found these badly listed pieces and realized none of the regular "
Ebay Steam Brigade" had spotted them. Some times you get lucky and this was
one of those moments. Not wanting to miss such a rare chance, I placed a
bid
and bought them. Each of the turbines is of different design externally,
but more interestingly, internally too. |
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These are prototypes designed for high
pressure, high flow operation. The
rotors are intricately machined
from solid alloy bronze and must
have taken quite a bit of work to
complete. The spare boiler
I keep around here is able
to produce up to 25 PSI which would
turn the turbines at very low RPM.
When hooked to an air compressor
at 40 PSI the turbines operated
fairly well.
I'm told they were made in about
1976 as part of a course study by an apprentice at The Royal Armament Research
& Development Establishment which is part of the British Military, located
in Seven Oaks, Kent England.
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Multi-stage turbine Rotor Assembly |
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The response
since posting these little
machines has been unbelievable.
Several visitors have generously
tried to buy them. Others have asked
to "borrow" them, even
offering to put up deposits to ensure their
return. A couple of people
thought it a grand idea to donate
them to their "museum"
as tax deductions. One misguided
soul even felt the right to
demand that I sell them. (not
the wisest courses of action) As
entertaining as some of the inquiries
have been, you see, none were successful
in convincing me to part with these
rare pieces.
UPDATE: Recently, a lady tracked me down and convinced me that it her husband did indeed build these turbines. He had regretted selling them ever since he'd let them slip away. I sold two of these pieces back to her so she could surprise him, but the third had already been traded away for another engine. Igave her the information to contact the new owner only to learn He had passed away and no one knew anything about the turbine. I'd like to think that maybe I scored a few Karma points with this transaction.
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