Boeing's 540 Gas Turbine Outboard

[Aquaholic]

Boeing Model 540 Gas Turbine Outboard Motor.
In mid 1959, Boeing prepared layout designs of several alternative outboard gas turbine engines for marine use, with the U.S. Navy’s needs particularly in mind.

The lower leg design looks advanced for it's era, IMHO. Who would want to waterski behind this?

Boeing Turbine outboard

Boeing Model 540 Gas Turbine Outboard Motor. In mid 1959, Boeing prepared layout designs of several alternative outboard gas turbine engines for marine use, with the U.S. Navy’s needs particularly in mind. In mid 1960, a go-ahead was made to build a demonstrator, making use of some existing...

www.riverdavesplace.com

 

[seachicken]

Boeing Model 540 Gas Turbine Outboard Motor.
In mid 1959, Boeing prepared layout designs of several alternative outboard gas turbine engines for marine use, with the U.S. Navy’s needs particularly in mind.

The lower leg design looks advanced for it's era, IMHO. Who would want to waterski behind this?

Boeing Turbine outboard

Boeing Model 540 Gas Turbine Outboard Motor. In mid 1959, Boeing prepared layout designs of several alternative outboard gas turbine engines for marine use, with the U.S. Navy’s needs particularly in mind. In mid 1960, a go-ahead was made to build a demonstrator, making use of some existing...

www.riverdavesplace.com

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Man your eyes would be watering and you might even pass out trying not to breath the exhaust! I haven't skied behind one but I've certainly worked around enough 50s era turbine engines.

Not much different than a big turbo charger with a little extra compressor and a built in fuel supply. Would not be responsive like a conventional piston engine out of the hole but once you got spooled up it would be pretty good.