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Steam Rockets

Walt Arfons from Akron, Ohio has been credited for building the original Green Monster jet car. Walt is also credited for building one of the most interesting and potential fastest drag racer ever built and definitely the cheapest car to run because it ran on supper heated water. Yes, water, the same thing we drink every day. This newest creation was built in just six short months by Arfons in his shop in Akron at the cost of only $7,000. This vehicle has a remarkable power to weight ratio. The dry weight of the car is only 825 lbs., Bobby Tatroe the driver adds 200 lbs. and the water that is used for propellant weighs 600 pounds so the over all weight is 1,625 lbs. when it is rolled up to the starting line. Now here is what is remarkable about this car, it looses 600 lbs. of water, which is turned into steam in a matter of seconds as it speeds down the quarter mile track. This steam rocket has a unbelievable amount of instant power. The steam rocket produces almost 5,000 lbs. of thrust, Walt heats the water to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit and at that temperature the tank pressure is at about 300 lbs. Walt brought the car out to the Akron Municipal Airport for its first initial test run. On its first run the driver Bob Tatroe had his hands full when the G forces were unbelievable at about the 1,000 foot mark the car was estimated at over 250 mph when a 30 mph crosswind ended the high speed run with a spectacular crash. Bob walked away with a few cuts and bruises and a lot of respect for his steam powered car.



Bobby Tatroe driving Walt Arfons steam powered car.

Bobby standing next to the car after his high speed crash.
Peter Beck's Steam Rocket

Here are pictures of a Steam Rocket designed and built by Peter Beck. In my mind this is a absolute master piece.
The Steam Rocket is considered the safest with an excellent power output. Peter's plan is to build a land speed car and power it with this engine and his first goal is to set the land speed record in New Zealand.
Here are the Engine Specifications
Fuel Consumption 23 liters per second
Hp Rating 6250 hp
Thrust 14000N or 3000 lbs
Burn Time 5 seconds
Nozzle throat 66mm diameter
Fuel H2O
Fuel mass 100L

Here are pictures of a Steam Rocket designed and built by Peter Beck. In my mind this is a absolute master piece.
The Steam Rocket is considered the safest with an excellent power output. Peter's plan is to build a land speed car and power it with this engine and his first goal is to set the land speed record in New Zealand.

I've had the privilege of spending a couple of days with Peter Beck when he flew up from New Zealand to my home in Minnesota. Peter is a talented young man who has built a number of incredible projects while he was still in his twenties.

Here are some pictures of Peter's steam bike he built. The bike was clocked at 140kph in 5 seconds.

Hot Water Rockets


 

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