"shiver" wrote in message
...
So I'm watching TV last night.

They are showing a scale model of a high rise building that was being
tested for it's ability to withstand wind.

Then they show an engine from a Lancaster being fired up to produce the
wind.

On a stand, complete with Lanc nacelle, and contra rotating props.

So my kinda curious question.

How many of you know of aviation engines out there that are being used
for oddball type jobs.

For example anyone know the history of some of the jet engines used to
dry off the NASCAR type racetracks when they are a little wet.

Or perhaps the jets used in those semis that roar down the runways at
airshows.

This sort of thing.

The jet dryers are small gas turbines with all parts not required for the
job removed. GE and Pratt & Whitney are well known because of the aircraft
they power, but there are several other companies that make gas turbines for
things like dryers, electrical power, ships, etc.

Trucks like Shockwave, and some smaller class racing boats used the
Westinghouse J-34 (now called the Pratt & Whitney J-34). There were a lot of
surplus engines at one time. They were used in Navy P2V's, T2J's, and even
powered the Douglas X-3.