Platforms like Archive.org preserve out-of-print technical books.
Model Jet Engines by Thomas Kamps is widely considered a foundational "must-have" text for anyone serious about building or understanding miniature gas turbines. First published in 1995 and updated through a 3rd edition in 2005, it serves as a successor to Kurt Schreckling's pioneering work, bringing more modern implementation techniques to the hobby. Amazon.com Key Takeaways & Core Content Has anybody read these books? - www.pulse-jets.com
Chapter 1 dives deep into the component parts of a model jet engine. You will learn about the radial compressor, including typical calculations and how to read a compressor characteristic graph to avoid the "surge limit". Kamps also covers the complexities of combustion in a miniature chamber, fuel mixture formation, the importance of re-circulation zones, and the design of the axial or radial turbine stage.
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It transitions from complex thermodynamic theory to practical workshop application. Key Topics Covered
In the modern era of ready-to-run (RTR) model turbines from brands like JetCat, KingTech, and Xicoy, you might wonder why enthusiasts still search for a decades-old text.
Yes, but with caveats. In the early 2000s, hundreds of hobbyists successfully built KJ-66 engines using the Kamps plans. However, technology has moved on.
Based on the book's structure, here is a breakdown of the key topics covered: Thomas Kamps Model Jet Engines | PDF | Turbine - Scribd
The precise pattern and diameter of primary, secondary, and tertiary air holes.
Thomas Kamps bridged this gap. A pioneer in the German model engineering scene, Kamps realized that while many understood how a full-sized jet worked, scaling that technology down presented unique physics problems. His work did not merely offer blueprints; it provided a curriculum. The PDF versions of his designs and chapters are frequently passed among engineering clubs and student groups because they function as a "mini-course" in gas turbine construction.
For readers accessing the Kamps material, the text is structured to guide a builder from raw theory to finished hardware.
Thomas Kamps' is considered a foundational text in the hobby of miniature gas turbine construction. Originally published in German as Modellstrahltriebwerke , it was translated into English and became a go-to resource for enthusiasts looking to build or understand small-scale turbojets. Key Content of the Guide
Unlike large commercial jets that use complex axial compressors (multiple rows of fan blades), model jet engines utilize a . Kamps popularized the use of modified automotive turbocharger compressor wheels (such as those from Schwitzer or Garret turbochargers) because they were precision-engineered, mass-produced, and capable of handling extreme rotational stresses. The compressor draws air in, accelerates it radially outward, and jams it into the diffuser. 2. The Diffuser and Stator
