The International Cessna 170 Association

gahorn wrote:Put in a big alternator and install a couple of old tube vacuum cleaners on the sides and let'r rip!

I think you are referring to Electrolux. And if I remember correctly from taking my mom's apart, it was indeed a turbine! I'll never forget the smell from that exhaust every Sunday after church when I had to vacuum the house.

hilltop170 wrote:

ghostflyer wrote:I read the other day that Cessna did put a turbine in a 170A. so anybody have any info on that subject. there wasn't any documented evidence with the statements but there was something about airflow control over the wings ,plus a inclusion of electric motors to blow air over the wings . this was done in the 1950,s ?? history is repeating itself.

That is indeed a true story except it wasn't a 170. However, that turbine powered a compressor to provide massive quantities of air blowing over the wings for some boundary layer experiment, not thrust to speed up the plane. It apparently didn't work too well from what I remember reading.

We discussed this some time ago here.

It was W. D. Thompson, and it was a highly-modified 170-B/305 which used fans to blow air thru the wings and exit vents in the wings to effect the boundary layer. The Army was interested but their curiosity diverted toward helicopters which made the project sort of interesting but useless. (another example of gov't over-indulgence, perhaps...?? helicopters? )