The Besler Steam Powered Airplane (1933)
The aircraft, piloted by William Besler, had been fitted with a two-cylinder, 150 hp reciprocating engine.
An important contribution to its design was made by Nathan C. Price, a former Doble Steam Motors engineer.
Price was working on high pressure compact engines for rail and road transport; the purpose of the flight was to obtain publicity
for this work. Following its unexpectedly favourable reception Price went to Boeing and worked on various aviation projects, but Boeing
dropped the idea of a steam aeroengine in 1936. Price later worked for Lockheed where his experience with developing
compact burners for steam boilers helped to design Lockheed's first jet engine.
The advantages of the "Besler System" that were claimed at the time included the elimination of audible noise and destructive vibration;
greater efficiency at low engine speeds and also at high altitudes where lower air temperatures assisted condensation; reduced likelihood
of engine failure; reduced maintenance costs; reduced fuel costs, since fuel oil was used in place of petrol; reduced fire hazard
since the fuel was less volatile and operating temperatures were lower; and a lack of need for radio shielding.
For capacities in excess of 1000 horse power a turbine captures the energy released by the expansion of steam more efficiently
than a piston. Thus, the steam reciprocating engine turned out to be unsuitable for scaling up to the needs of large aircraft.
VIEW VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw6NFmcnW-8
Feb. 4, 2010