LC-11 All-American Cadet – Registry X7997, SN
501
Built by: Vearne C. Babcock – Sept 1928
Babcock Airplane Company, Akron, Ohio
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| Pilot Eric F. Beckley with the steam powered X-7997 - T David Gibbons Collection |
On August 8, 1932, X-7997 was purchased by Harold C. Johnston of 54 Cedar St, Akron, Ohio. The owner of a small welding shop, Mr. Johnston had witnessed the fiery crash of an airplane during the early 1930s and set about to create a safer aircraft engine. His solution; steam power. [1][3]
The Johnston G-1 Steam Engine and Boiler (Serial #1) was installed in X-7997 in May of 1933 and approved for testing by the Civilian Aeronautics Board on June 21, 1933. Unlike the large steam locomotives that come to mind when thinking of steam power, the G-1 was a lightweight power-plant, weighing in at 150 lbs (dry weight), and capable of producing, by conservative estimates, 62 horsepower giving a power to weight ratio of 2.42 lbs engine weight to 1 hp. Other estimates place the horse-power produced as high as 90hp. [1][2][4][6]
A binary steam engine, the G-1 utilized two cylinders. The first cylinder was powered by steam generated in the boiler. As the steam was exhausted from the first cylinder it was used to heat a second liquid, either ether or butane, which had a lower boiling point. The steam from the second liquid would then activate the second cylinder. The entire system was closed in, meaning the steam from both cylinders was recycled into condensers were it returned to liquid state before being fed back into the boiler. This allowed the G-1 to carry a small amount of liquid (8 Quarts) which could be used indefinitely. [2][4][7]
Heat was generated by burning Furnace Oil. The advantage of the oil, was that in liquid state it was difficult to burn, holding a blow torch flame on the oil would produce only a smoldering affect. A sprayer was needed to atomize the oil so it could be burned for heat. This made the engine virtually fireproof, eliminating the chance of an aircraft fire. Another advantage was the sound levels as the engine was silent, the only noise coming from the propeller as it moved through the air. [4][5]
With only eleven moving parts and no transmission needed, the engine was low maintenance and during ground tests, the engine was run for over a 1,000 hours without break down. The furnace oil, being cheaper than aviation gasoline was an added bonus in Depression Era America. The G-1 could be operated at a cost of $1.68 an hour (1932 price). [2][3][5]
Chosen to fly the steam powered “flivver”, was Eric F Beckley, a World War 1 veteran with the Army Air Service. A student of Early Bird aviator Thomas Benoist in Sandusky, Ohio, Mr. Beckley was put to work building Benoist’s seaplanes at the age of 16 years old. Following his return from the war he worked at a variety of aviation schools as an instructor before beginning work with Mr. Johnston. [6][8]
No record of the steam powered X-7997 flying has yet been found and her experimental license ended on January 1, 1934. In June, 1935, the little monoplane was converted back to a Le Blond 5D engine and sold to William P. McLaughlin on June 21, 1935. [1]
She was later sold Roy P. Williams, currently living in Warren, Ohio, on July 16, 1935. She remained in service until late in 1935 when her fuselage cracked on roll out (prior to take off). X-7997 was scrapped, her engine salvaged for use in another airplane. She was the longest surviving of the LC-11’s, remaining in service for almost seven years. [1][10]
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| Harold C. Johnston with the G-1 Steam Engine circa 1932 - T David Gibbons Collection |
References:
1. Aircraft
Registration Records for X-7997, Babcock Airplane Co. – National Air and Space
Museum.
2.
“Steam Takes Wings” – Popular Mechanics Magazine – Vol.
58, No. 6, Dec-1932 – Pg 1 & 2
3.
“Steam-Power Plane Goal of
Inventors” – Associated Press
Article – Altoona Tribune – 18-Nov-1932
4.
“A New Steam Engine for Aircraft”
– article by
Robert H. Martin – Popular Aviation Magazine – Vol. 9, No. 6, Dec-1932 – Pg 365
5.
“Work on Two Steam Engines for
Planes” – The Piqua
Daily Call – 12-Dec-1932, Pg 11
6.
“Plane with Steam Motor is
Licensed” – The Piqua
Daily Call – 22-June-1933
7.
“Inventor Develops Steam Plane
Engine” – The Sandusky
Register – 15-Oct-1932
8.
Article on
Eric F. Beckley – The Salem News – 5-Jan-1929
9. “Mystery Plane” – Article
by H.G. Frautschy – Vintage Airplane Magazine – EAA Vintage Aircraft
Association – Volume 24, No. 2, Feb 2, 1996 – Pg 26 & 27
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