Are you planning to a micro-turbine from scratch, or are you researching the history of jet propulsion for an academic project? I can provide more specific machining tolerances or fuel mixture formulas if you need them.
Kamps’ book, widely sought after as a PDF manual, serves as both a theoretical textbook and a workshop workshop guide. It focuses heavily on the design and construction of the micro-turbine, an engine that laid the foundation for modern commercial RC jet brands like JetCat and AMT. Key Topics Covered in the Manual:
Kamps explicitly emphasizes safety housing. The compressor and turbine stages must be wrapped in high-tensile steel or Kevlar containment bands to protect the operator in the event of a structural failure during testing. Final Verdict
Unlike large commercial airliners that use axial compressors (rows of fan blades), model jets utilize centrifugal compressors. Kamps' designs frequently adapted readily available turbocharger compressor wheels (such as those from automobile turbochargers) to draw air in axially and fling it outward radially, multiplying the air pressure. 2. The Combustion Chamber
Thomas Kamps is a German engineer and RC aviation pioneer who played a crucial role in commercializing and documenting miniature gas turbines. Before his work, early model jet pioneers like Kurt Schreckling began experimenting with homemade turbines using crude materials, such as wooden compressors. model jet engines thomas kamps pdf
The book is available in multiple editions through various platforms: Model Jet Engines: Thomas Kamps - Amazon.com
: An excellent resource for technical safety standards and community-vetted build logs.
The book by Thomas Kamps is a comprehensive technical guide that details the theory, design, and construction of miniature gas turbine engines for model aircraft. Originally published in 1995 and now in its third edition, it is considered a foundational text for advanced hobbyists. Where to Find the PDF
How to precisely drill vaporizing tubes and air inlets to ensure a clean burn without melting the turbine wheel. Are you planning to a micro-turbine from scratch,
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.
Before exotic CNC machining was widely available, Kamps taught hobbyists how to identify scrap or affordable metals that could survive the environment inside a jet engine. He provided formulas for calculating thermal expansion, ensuring that the spinning turbine wheel wouldn't expand and seize against its outer shroud when hot. From DIY to Modern Ready-to-Fly (RTF) Turbines
The primary achievement of Kamps was the democratization of jet propulsion. Before the publication of his research and designs, high-performance model aircraft relied almost exclusively on piston engines or "ducted fans"—shrouded propellers that mimicked the look of a jet but lacked the genuine physics of a turbine. Kamps provided the blueprint for a functioning, centrifugal-flow gas turbine that could be built in a well-equipped home workshop. His designs, particularly those focusing on the KJ-66 turbine, served as the DNA for the commercial turbine industry that exists today.
Thomas Kamps is the author, and his passion for the subject shines through on every page. Originally written in German, the English version was expertly translated by Keith Thomas, with technical support from Tom Wilkinson. Kamps’ approach is methodical and accessible, making him the ideal guide for the journey from theoretical understanding to hands-on construction. It focuses heavily on the design and construction
I’m unable to provide or link to a PDF of Model Jet Engines by Thomas Kamps due to copyright restrictions. However, I can offer a to help you locate, understand, and apply the book’s content if you obtain a legal copy.
Based on the book's structure, here is a breakdown of the key topics covered: Thomas Kamps Model Jet Engines | PDF | Turbine - Scribd
Modern model jets use ceramic hybrid bearings, electronic fuel metering, and often machined-from-solid billet turbine wheels (thanks to affordable 5-axis CNC). However, Kamps' Model Jet Engines remains relevant because:
Because the book was published originally by Traplet Publications (and in German by vth), physical copies have become rare collector's items, often fetching high prices on secondary markets.
Because the book is considered a standard text, it is widely referenced in university courses and engineering forums.