Rare GE Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion Zippo Airplanes

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Between 1946 and 1961, the United States Air Force had a program for Nuclear Energy for Propulsion of Aircraft. The USAF pursued two different systems for nuclear powered jet engines. One was the "Direct Air Cycle" General Electric program, which was based at Evendale, Ohio. This program was pursued because of its advantages in simplicity, reliability, suitability and quick start ability. Conventional jet engine compressor and turbine sections were used, with the compressed air run through the reactor itself to heat it before being exhausted through the turbine. This program produced the successful X-39 engine, two modified J47s with heat supplied by the Heat Transfer Reactor Experiment-1 (HTRE-1). The HTRE-1 was replaced by the HTRE-2 and eventually the HTRE-3 unit powering the two J47 engines was tested. The HTRE-3 used "a flight-type shield system" and would probably have gone on to power the X-6 had that program been pursued.Lighter has remnants of clear tape on it, does not appear to have ever been used. Very rare old zippo from the Cold War. How many nuclear airplanes have you seen :)Check our other auctions! Thanks for stopping by. Select a thumbnail from the left to zoom. Image #1 Image #2 Image #3 Image #4 Image #5 Image #6 Image hosting and Zoom Gallery by Shipping will be $3.00 USPS mail and appropriate insurance. WE read more

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