WATER AND GASOLINE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 40, 14 January 1944, Page 5

WATER AND GASOLINE

POWER FOR PLANES

INCREASED SPEED-BURSTS

One. of the latest American military .secrets, how for some months ; water lias been used by Army and Navy lighter planes to drive lheir engines faster, was explained in New York with Army and Navy approval. The water is forced directly into the 1 engine cylinders along with the* gasoline. This gives added, instantaneous bursts of power. The extra speed is considerable, but the >igur» remains a secret. The pilot, wlica . he wants to jump to his top speed, turns on the water by throwing a dashboard switch. The acceleration, is enough to enable a pilot to gral> a position against an adversary or to take, successful evasive action. The effectiveness has been proven, in combat. The explanation of water as engine fuel avms made public In ■ a statement by the Pratt and Whiiney aircraft division of the United Aircraft Corporation.. I The water vaporises to steam as itenters the engine cylinders. Three* main advantages, follow. First, the* water vapour cools the cylinder more than otherwise posisble. See«* oncl, detonation is reduced. Detonation is too-rapid explosion,,, familiar as an engine knic'k, which losespower bceausc the; explosion goes faster than the piston can take up the push. Third, the water vapour produces more power because it. permits the. use of a leaner mixture-of gasoline from the carburettor. Since* # July S the use of water fuel hasspread through the Army P 47 Thunderbolts and certain Navy fighters, powered with Pratt and Whitney 2000 h.p. double Wasp engines.