Oshkosh 2000 Image Gallery: <br>Day Two, Picture 18

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Martyn Rickey of the Replica Fighters Association is constructing a replica of a DeHaviland Vampire jet.
  • The replica will be powered by a modified Boeing 500 axial flow jet engine, originally produced in 1945 and acquired by Rickey in 1997.
  • Through modifications, including a thrust cone, the engine's continuous thrust has been increased from an original 150 lbs to 175 lbs, with 210 lbs available for one-minute takeoffs using water and alcohol injection.
  • The engine is quite fuel-intensive, consuming 27.8 gallons (186 lbs) of fuel per hour at 100% power.
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“It’s…um…it’s an engine.”

Replica fighters assoc. Martyn Rickey will build a replica of a DeHaviland Vampire as a jet using a Boeing 500 axial flow jet engine. Originally run in 1945 producing 150# of thrust, uses were limited. The Navy used the turboshaft version in 1947 for powering generators on minesweepers. Bought in 1997, the engine was modified and a thrust cone (output size reducer) was added to bring the thrust level to 175# with 210# available for takeoff with water and alcohol injection for one minute. At 100%, the engine burst 27.8 gallons or 186# per hour.


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