The turbine wheel extracts energy from the hot, expanding exhaust gases to spin the compressor. Kamps' literature guides the reader through the metallurgy and aerodynamic profiling required for turbine blades, which must withstand rotational speeds exceeding 100,000 RPM and temperatures above 700°C (1,292°F). 4. The Exhaust Nozzle
The ingenious use of automotive turbocharger compressor wheels (such as those from Schwitzer or KKK) to bypass the need to manufacture complex axial compressors from scratch.
This is the heart of the book. Kamps outlines exactly what tools you will need and how to select the appropriate materials for high-stress, high-temperature components. The construction sequence covers:
Those who want to experience the thrill of machining their own engine from raw billets of metal. model jet engines thomas kamps pdf
Because the book is a highly sought-after out-of-print classic, digital copies circulate widely in engineering forums, university repositories, and vintage RC clubs. When searching for a download, look for archived library formats or dedicated RC turbine forums (such as RC Groups or HomeBuiltTurbines) to ensure you are downloading clean files free of malicious software.
: An excellent resource for technical safety standards and community-vetted build logs.
Kamps wrote for the manual machinist using lathes and millers. Today, builders combine his design principles with 5-axis CNC machining, laser cutting, and 3D printing (specifically direct metal laser sintering for turbine wheels). The turbine wheel extracts energy from the hot,
Kamps’ book is a classic, but its PDF is not legally available. Hobbyists should either invest in a physical copy or switch to modern open-source jet engine designs.
Thomas Kamps is a highly respected German engineer and author in the field of miniature aviation propulsion. He is best known for demystifying complex aerodynamic and thermodynamic principles so that experienced machinists and hobbyists could build their own powerplants.
If you are looking for specific versions or related technical manuals, you can find them through specialized hobbyist platforms: The Exhaust Nozzle The ingenious use of automotive
Furthermore, Kamps’ literature emphasized the precision required for safety and efficiency. A micro-jet engine is essentially a controlled explosion; any imbalance in the turbine wheel at high speeds can lead to catastrophic "uncontained" failure. By providing rigorous calculations for mass flow, thrust-to-weight ratios, and exhaust gas temperatures (EGT), Kamps moved the hobby away from dangerous trial-and-error toward a disciplined, engineering-centric approach.
Due to the book's out-of-print status, the PDF version has become the standard resource for many modern builders. While original physical copies command high prices, digital files are available in various online libraries. A standard search for the full title will lead to several sources:
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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.