Turbojet Engine, Cutaway, General Electric J85-GE-17A

Object Details

Physical Description: Cutaway turbojet engine with a quarter of its exterior paneling removed so that the insides are revealed. The middle exterior panel is green.; Type: Turbojet, single-shaft; Thrust: 12,680 N (2,850lb) at 16,500 rpm; Compressor: 8-stage axial; Combustor: Annular; Turbine: 2-stage axial; Weight: 181 kg (398 lb)
Summary: In late 1953, General Electric began a design study of a high thrust-to-weight ratio turbojet engine. The prototype J85 engine ran in January 1956, the first flight was in August 1958 as the power plant of the McDonnell GAM-72 missile, and in September 1958 the prototype North American T-39 Sabreliner flew for the first time powered by the first man-rated J85 engines.; The J85 was the first U.S. small turbine engine to go into production with an afterburner. The most important applications were the Northrop T-38 Talon, the first supersonic trainer, and Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter, a low-cost fighter used by many nations from the 1960s through the 1980s. The non-afterburning J85-GE-17A powered the Cessna A-37A/B attack aircraft. The J85 had the highest thrust-to-weight ratio of production engines built for its time (up to 7.3:1 on the J85-GE-21). GE built more than 12,000 J85 engines before production ended in 1988.

Credit Line: Transferred from the 175th Tactical Fighter Group, Maryland Air National Guard

1966

Materials: Metal alloys, aluminum alloys, iron alloys, copper alloys, plastic, fabric, rubber
Dimensions: 3-D (Do not include stand or crank): 114.3 × 66 × 58.4cm (3 ft. 9 in. × 2 ft. 2 in. × 1 ft. 11 in.); Overall (Includes stand): 114.3 × 132.1 × 81.9cm (3 ft. 9 in. × 4 ft. 4 in. × 2 ft. 8 1/4 in.)