Sabre Jet Engine: first start

This is not the S.A.B.R.E. ... It does not exist yet...
The first start and initial test run of the Orenda type 14 turbojet that we have been working on for almost a year now... you and me!
It's been a lot of work, and now it's all on the line as we crank this baby up, hit the sparks and spray those combustors with Jet A.
It was an exciting and exhausting day...
A special note: this is not a hot start, but fairly typical of the older generations of turbojets to have flames shoot out the tailpipe on startup.
You are a Legend for reading this !
To help support the channel, check out Patreon for AgentJayZ.
Thanks!
The video response is from Burning Man participant Kunal Dovedy, and the engine section he used is the exact one featured in my video "dropped into a turbine engine".

[@SpringDivers]

Four years duty (68-72) aboard the aircraft carrier (USS Forrestal CVA-59), I spent many an hour in the jet shop (located near the fantail) observing and asking questions about the engines and the jobs required to keep them running. The current jet inventory supporting the air wing was: the A7 Corsair, the A-6 Intruder, the F4 Phantom, the A-3 Skywarrior, the A-4 Skyhawk and the RA-5C Vigilante. An experience of a lifetime to say the least. Your channel is a great addition to my education. Thanks so much. Wayne

[@blogobre]

Just love the guys standing near the jet, like anything could go wrong...

[@AgentJayZ]

Nothing's gonna go wrong... I built that engine, and every single part is good to go.

[@DScottDuncan]

AgentJayZ I would stand by your engines any day! Good work man! Thanks for sharing.

[@Mrpaulgs]

My Father was an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer at Orenda Engines in Toronto, Ontario where these were built. I believe he worked in the quality control department inspecting the engines prior to shipping them out. He is 84, and still has his valid AME license. I emailed my Dad and asked him what he did: Yes that is the engine. In 1951 I was the inspector on the final assembly of the first engine to go into the North American Saber fighter. The engine then went to the test house for a test run. After the test run was competed, I signed the log book certifying the engine airworthy. The engine was then shipped to California, to be installed in a Saber fighter modified to accept the Orenda engine by the aircraft builder. He also commented that: I don't know why there is so much flame shooting out the jet pipe, too much fuel and too low an RPM on start.

[@BluntForceTrauma666]

That is one of the coolest, most honest introductions to a video that I have seen to this point! Very nice job...

[@55marklee]

I think I see a problem, there is no plane attached to the engine.

[@ShannonSmith4u2]

I'm sure it's very stressful for you, but there's thousands, hundreds of thousands of people cheering you in, living vicariously through you and what you're doing, you're doing it for us, too!! thank you!!

[@fps079]

I tested F100-PW-100's for a living on a trim pad with a fuel trailer, engine rails with tie-downs, power unit, start cart, control cab, and a blast fence out in the open air in the early 80's when nothing was digital. Engine Pressure Ratio trim was performed hands-on with a tiny allen-wrench while the engine was in MAX (not MIL, MAX). Talk about good vibrations... It never got boring or old. Enjoy...these are good times. Thanks for sharing them.

[@AgentJayZ]

We've started it, and it ran. It didn't leak, shake, or break. Now we have to set the speed regulating circuits of the fuel pumps to set the max engine speed. We also have to put the engine through some acceleration and deceleration tests to make sure it meets the acceptance standards set by the air Force back in the day.

[@terapode]

It´s kind of cool to know the human side of an engine test.

[@SkyhawkSteve]

Wonderful! When I was in the military, working on A-4 Skyhawks, I had a license to run the engine. It was neat to do, but as you say, a bit stressful... especially when my ground crew gave me the "fire" signal! Jet engines are amazing pieces of engineering!

[@robert83pr]

Gives me goosebumps. Brings back memories when I was in the Air Force. Awesome times !

[@HomeboyChris]

There's something about a jet engine that makes you just have to bow down when you hear it. It's the king of the mechanical motors. 10,000 HP that one has you say? That's a lot of juice.

[@AgentJayZ]

240SSONLY That's going to make a lot of road apples, Ricky...

[@240SSONLY]

AgentJayZ HAHAHAHA....

[@GB3770]

I completely agree...The sound and power are amazing...I'm not really fussed about normal engines - I'm no petrol head but there is def someone special about jet engines.

[@rkshireygames]

AgentJayZ How many ft lbs of torque at what rpm is that?

[@AgentJayZ]

This engine runs at a nominal 7800 rpm, and produces zero torque. It has a gas-accelerating exhaust nozzle that uses the energy in the combustion gases to produce thrust.

[@Linkage1992]

What a beautiful piece of machinery.

[@Rainhill1829]

Big thanks for keeping this little piece of Canadian aviation history rolling. My hat is off.

[@vrendus522]

I am taking an aerospace course in design and management.I am trying to catch all of you videos, as part of how jet engines function can be melded into self launch rocket powered space plane designs. I regard you like a brother and stick with what your'e saying and teaching, which is improving my creative vision within this area. Thanks ever so much, yours sir, is a first class act. Truly, Vrendus

[@MegaFPVFlyer]

It's always so satisfying to see the flames get sucked back into the tailpipe during startup.

[@MegaFPVFlyer]

As for the talk at the end, I'd be scared sh*tless of a hot/hung start...

[@rustymustard7798]

Cool video! Stressful? Yeah, but it's also rewarding. About 20 years ago i got the chance to clean up and test run an old j33 centrifugal from a scrapped, p80 shooting star. A lot of stuff was missing from the fuel system so i ended up building a system on a test cart and fabricating a new fuel metering pressure/dump valve and water injection. Didn't quite spend a year on it but it was months of bloody knuckles. When i finally finished getting the p/d valve and fuel system to work, i wheeled it out and went through my checklist. When i got behind the janky analog panel (no fadec or digital telemetry,) and started flipping switches, stressful was definitely a drastic understatement. This was the first time firing up anything like this, a 4000lb thrust machine fed gallons of fuel that hasn't spun in 40 or so years that I HOPE i understood from the old manuals enough to make it work. Yeah, i probably pooped a little but was too scared to notice. I flipped the switches and to my amazement this thing spun,. barked flame, and spooled up! It was amazing to me in itself that this relic of an engine that sat around covered in rat poop and cannibalized for parts for that long actually made noise one last time before being put on display.

[@boostjunkie2320]

Rusty Mustard Amazing story thanks for sharing. When I was 12 I pulled out cleaned up and fired up a Briggs 5hp motor that had been sitting for 30 year's. It was great

[@mikewade777]

Sounds like my PS4 Pro!

[@deltaecho4673]

Haha

[@jabo190d]

I used to work on CF- 5s for the RCAF . I recall the Sabre 6s being the most powerful of the bunch. What you've done is amazing ,What an accomplishment!

[@lieugebo805]

Very interesting my brother was a jet mechanic with the 174th air guard he maintained many interesting jets I was always proud he was crew chief

[@correocasa3]

Excellent video! yes you can feel some of the stress from the couch here too! Thanks!

[@ChineseSweatShoppe]

I love standing near our F18s when we do turns, it is awesome. Shit just pulling chocks is cool enough.

[@edmilley5496]

Glad your test went ok .As a quality control and test inspector for Pratt & Whitney in the late 60s ,l remember a j58 (JT11D -20 ) had a cadistroff failure while testing,.it wasn't pretty . We were writing reports on mangled parts for a week.

[@hiha2108]

I think I had similar feelings, after having fired up my first completely self-revised 4stroke-2valve single-motorcycle-race engine when I was about 30 years old. And everything worked great, nothing "blew up or exploded" like some "friends" were prognosting...

[@KunalDovedy]

It has been amazing to see you working so passionately on this engine. Really rewarding to see it running - congratulations!!!

[@20bluebug]

Congratulations on your successful test! I could just imagine how stressful that was! Thanks for sharing all the work you do through your vids and giving us an intimate glimpse into the jet engine world!

[@bigglesflysagain1749]

....WELL DONE......absolutely WELL DONE.....and your honesty is admirable !

[@pltkn]

Nice, our airframes teacher is using a lot of your videos to teach us, really helpful on the turbine engine part!

[@skrame01]

Good Job! I couldn't imagine putting together such a large incredibly complex and intricate machine that handles so much power, and then you are also the one to test it on the first try... !! You have to feel great about that !

[@joeystromboli65]

Intense. I could only imagine the anticipation starting this baby for the first time. And the fear.

[@GB3770]

Good work mate!

[@crobulari2328]

Yeah, I was scared shitless watching. Thanks for your hard work and an excellent video.

[@zyzo99]

Thank you, guys! I prefer your podcasts over any bunch of cable channels, seriously ! Keep doing this )))

[@muralidharc782]

Nice whistling sound and flames spitting out.great work.

[@free_spirit1]

00:05 "Oh hey, I didn't see you there"

[@codybooth2274]

These video's are very inspiring and I can't stop watching. Supposed to be studying gear trains right now but... jets. Maybe one day I'll have my hand on some igniter's and a throttle just like you!

[@AgentJayZ]

Gear trains ? Check out my video "are you a gearhead?" !

[@LynkedVideos]

Congratulations. I'd be happy to play with you some day. Ahh, the pursuit for laminar air flow through ridiculously fast turbines. My hat is off to you.

[@SamHaddad]

Not sure what it is about these videos, but I can watch them all day. Great stuff.

[@saxonlight]

Congrats AJZ and the rest of your team. Dig the flames out the pipe on start up.

[@beforeiforget7884]

What a day for you, congratulations jay, all that hard work is paying off, looked and sounded great.

[@evilfish456]

Yup. My lathe is enough of a machine for me. Good stuff!

[@HansCSchellenberg]

Did I see electric starter cables jump when energized? Wow, lot of amps.

[@AgentJayZ]

Yeah, inrush is over 1000, but it quickly drops to a hundred or so.

[@lllCRAFTlll]

I liked that ... "things get serious" conclusion. Good video

[@octaviovaladaoferreirinhad2689]

remembers me that british movie "The Sound Barrier" when the pilot after listening to a spooling R.R. Derwent says "this is the most exciting sound I ever heard!"

[@doright6461]

+Octavio Valadao Ferreirinha de Oliveira -- it really does grab from the whole "heck yeah" side. Love turbines.

[@gitaar70]

I just watched this after seeing your video where this one comes back to you in ten years time from this video. I can imagine the superscary part after working and learning for a year on it and then putting ot to the test. And then something went slightly wrong the first time haha, not sure what. Anyhow, you did it and it turned out well. Something I would like to say: I watched a lot of your videos years ago, one popped up in my feed the other day. I really appriciate your patience, endurance and excellent explaining. I enjoyed watching your video's a lot and I think I actually learned some basics in the special way these engines work. I still can't wrap my head around it fully why the speed of flowing air can increase without the pressure rising too but appearently this is how it works. I'll tell you something funny because you mentioned it somewhere in your video's. A lot of times when I showered and saw the shower curtain move towards me the thought about this working principle of jet engines popped in my mind! I hope I am saying it right haha but this is what I still remember and the shower curtain example helped me remember it. All the best to you and your shop and thanks again for making these video's. Just ignore the stupid comments and know there are people who actually appriciate your efforts and really enjoy your video's ok?

[@scheusselmensch5713]

A damned fine engine, and they were installed in one of the finest aircraft ever built.

[@lerkzor]

IT'S ALIVE!!!! What a happy day, and thanks for sharing this with us.

[@Rich4ardHLambert]

That was super-cool. I wish I knew more about how these units work, and what you are trying to accomplish. A privilege... thanks!

[@AgentJayZ]

Richard Lambert According to Michael Wilkes... and hommie789... your goals can be met by watching all of my videos from the beginning. They are 99% concerned with jets.

[@Rich4ardHLambert]

Sounds like a rainy weekend activity!

[@SamTerryblipblipblur]

seeing an engine like that all open and bare does look a lot like some kind of alien tech

[@dmcmahan121]

You did an outstanding job sir and no complaints!

[@m0ther_bra1ned12]

must be so cool working in a jet lab...

[@AgentJayZ]

+Motherbrain Jr Best job I ever had...

[@vrgaify]

Is there any requirement to work there?

[@whothou]

@@vrgaify lmao definitely... I'm pretty sure no random person could just get a job working and understanding of compex tech... I'm pretty sure some sort of engineering degree or background is needed

[@vrgaify]

@@whothou I'm an airplane mechanic and pilot though! Engineering degree could be a plus but nothing beats an outstanding background...

[@samanderson6079]

@@vrgaify I’m pretty your gonna want an engineering background when working with such dangerous machines

[@ozloon2000]

now you have a inceling of what Frank Wittle felt good luck hope you get bigger Engines

[@sammyspaniel6054]

Didn't Sabre buy Dunder Mifflin?

[@spiritofnex]

I think it would be a blast to work an internship with a company that makes aircraft. My dream is to become a aerospace engineer. I thoroughly enjoyed the video. Makes me realize that it is dangerous work but extremely worth it. I'm definitely subscribing now!

[@finscreenname]

I feel the same way you do when I fire up one of my race boat's motors for the first time after it been through the repair shop. At least when I have a failure though I don't fall out of the sky.

[@avioncamper]

Another A+ video Jay. Thanks for all your hard work.

[@AgentJayZ]

These old engines have rather primitive combustors... Think of starting a 1953 truck compared to starting one from 2013. Even one in perfect condition is gonna be a bit rough compared to something modern. The early jets always belch fire and smoke out the tailpipe on startup. I encourage you to watch all my Orenda 14 videos, and the J47 tests... We have ceramic coated the turbine blades and nozzle, so these parts are not having any difficulty.

[@ButchNackley]

The late Wyatt Fuller would fly his Sabre quite low around Long View NC. I'd dash outside to watch every time I heard it. The roar of the engine was certainly thrilling and a bit scary. Extremely loud.

[@lr21643]

When I was a kid, I was buzzed by a National Guard F-86 (or something similar), so low I could see the pilot over the nose of the plane! I think this was around 1970, on Lake Champlain near the Air Force base in Plattsburgh, NY. We'd often see F-111's from there too, though I'm sure they were regular Air Force. One time, there was even a sonic boom. Or at least that's the only explanation I had for it. I was inside at the time. Later, we would see F-16's, but they weren't nearly as loud.

[@gbowne1]

Michael Dorn of Star Trek TNG (and episodes of DS9) had a Sabre. they are cool. I prefer the early F4 and F104.

[@bagelboi66]

Fun and flames that's what it's all about :D Just imagine what they folks who pioneered engines like this felt as they lit up their creation that first time. 5/5 JayZ

[@evanfinch4987]

It's really nice that you guys post these videos.

[@alistairbrownhill3088]

tr

[@cronos51101]

I love how the wires jump when the starter is engaged...

[@tezlashock]

when you walked near the engine i literally shouted at my screen to get back lol

[@Journeyman-Fixit]

Thanks for sharing the video, hope the future is a little less stressful...

[@AgentJayZ]

+Keith Miller Your condescension is not working for you here. Please spend your time elsewhere.

[@Journeyman-Fixit]

+Keith Miller The only one I see wearing panties is YOU, You used the word, not me.

[@rreiter]

Awesome example of an AgentJayZ Limited Edition Orenda 14. Wish I had one.

[@TheInboil]

i build race motors, and the first start is always white knuckle. I can't imagine this stress load. hats off man.

[@mackthompson1161]

TheInboil Cool. Have you many wins?

[@zot254]

Can annular ,wow prehistoric.Did my trade test in 81 on Orenda and Goblin,already old stuff then.

[@AgentJayZ]

Those are electrical leads for 28VDC to the starter. 500 Amps cause a bit of a magnetic field.

[@bigb0r3]

Congratulations on the successful test! I really appreciate the effort you go through to make these videos. I just found your channel 4-6 weeks ago so I'm a newcomer. I've been devouring a lot of material on turbines since finding your channel, I have always been facinated by them. The combustion chamber seems to be the complicated part. I've also been wondering why the big turbines only spin between 6 - 8k rpms and the RC turbines need to spin at 100k. Again, thanks for your effort.

[@prwexler]

I would not want to stand near that thing, particularly during a first test. When bad things start coming out of a turbine engine, anyone standing nearby is bound to end up looking like one of Freddy Krueger's victims. My parakeets seem to love the scream produced by that machine. They chirp to it. (MEMO to Santa: I think that Buttercup will take two Sabre engines for next Christmas, please - one for under each of her wings, though she will settle for a cup of oat groats, instead!)

[@planebody]

Awesome awesome : ) Incredible to see that thing roaring. It'll be great to see it get wings. Good Job !

[@jimmyh2100]

as I'm entering this field, your videos are so interesting!

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

you are the reason man keeps going, inspiring

[@frankhollein7093]

your whole team is very professional. I like that.

[@aammmaannn]

I wonder , tying jet engine to ground and testing them may change Earth's revolution velocity. We need to come up with some next level of testing. :-)

[@carlossoto9240]

Now you need a thrust load cell, some data acquisition system, get those static pressure ports in the intake working, and get ready to calculate some performance

[@AgentJayZ]

+Carlos Soto. All of those things are in place. Not used in this particular run, but in all final test runs.

[@mitchcronin8689]

Really happy to see someone is looking after old Orenda engines! ...and happy for you to hear it run without spitting burnt blades out the back end! (it did look like quite a warm start... wasn't that EGT on the left side of your display?) I'm one of those folks who worked for Wardair and then got shuffled through Canadian Airlines to wind up at Air Canada... I worked on line aircraft and in a hangar for 25 yrs, but I never worked in a shop, so watching your vids is pretty darned interesting! Thanks, for all of it!

[@64jorthom]

Great and very well rebuilt engine! Thanks for sharing this and all the videos!

[@DavidRamirez-ww5kv]

Thank you. I love jets. Never could be a military pilot because of my eyesight. I want a real F86.

[@superflypule4484]

Whats an f86?

[@nerder11]

@@superflypule4484 It is the aircraft that used this engine, the f-86 Sabre.

[@AgentJayZ]

Dial N... "Super Fly" is actually just an average insect. Never feed the insects.

[@guajardo172]

Be a mechanic then you got it

[@superflypule4484]

@@guajardo172 but if you dont wanna work with actual engines just get scrapmechanic from steam

[@williamphillips3550]

When I watch videos like this one, I always think, "What would I be feeling if I was the man behind the camera?" Well whether it be to me watching Mythbusters too much as a kid or what not, I felt like I should be a few hundred feet away with a few inches of bullet proof glass between me and the engine on its initial test run.

[@AgentJayZ]

Yes, best for you to be there. And stay there. Don't come out until I tell you it's safe. Don't look. Keep your head down. I'll let you know...

[@bigshedideas8663]

Ha great video you are a very good presenter entertaining and sound like a pro great interesting video I can sort of understand how you feel I have a small 50lbs thrust turbine which still makes makes me on edge when I run it

[@mrgarvarno]

love your work, great job, long live the sabre.

[@nexusapp]

Thanks a million for these videos, I always wondered how a jet engine works. Now I have an idea. You are the best at explaining these things. Dave Los Angeles.

[@reconteamohio]

Jonah Beale: Good point on the dragster, and I admit, I am a bit envious. but this weekend I just might see and hear a F86 Saber in the air above my place here in Ohio. regards

[@basimpsn]

Congrat's on your test run.. What cause the hot start? is it because your fuel pump putting too much fuel to rpm? or due to the single stage turbine wheel? Love your video man

[@menendezgilbert]

Those are old obsolete jet engines, rebuilding one of those is some really big serious bucks. What kind of people are having that work done, and what are they using them for?

[@AgentJayZ]

People who own classic jet fighters, like the F86, often want to fly them, so they need engines.

[@hindflight]

AgentJayZ Ever come across a Jumo 004? That would be a neat historical piece! I don't think any originals fly though..

[@stormshadow_6477]

hindflight R Well you're right: because of the crappy Metals used to make them they had a very low lifespan, around 10 Hours i think... They were replaced by J-85 Engines in some Me 262's which are still able to fly :-)

[@zchen27]

If for nothing else to preserve history. The same reason why they keep a running Tiger II in Samur.

[@EatMyPropwash]

Cool video. What's the plan with the engine, as in, is this going into a plane at some point? Or, a land speed car? Or, just a really expensive fun hobby?

[@subtractivemusic]

Why are there 300+ dislikes on a purely scientific video?

[@KiltedGorilla]

sub tractive Because Internet.

[@dave0mary]

+sub tractive Because it's yes, as you say, "scientific". But it's also very boring because way too much of the video we are watching a guy's back look at a computer screen. Best Buy sells video editing software ... cheap.

[@AgentJayZ]

+dave0mary There's no science at all in this video. It's the story of a jet engine test, by the guy who built it. The long shots of the control room are deliberate; they are to show interested people the instruments and and behaviour of a jet engine, and also to show the reactions and concentration of the operator... People who don't understand what's going on, and need to be constantly stimulated every seven seconds...this video isn't for them.

[@dave0mary]

There is always a fine line between being "stimulated every 7 seconds" and making a video interesting. Last night on NBC they did a timeline of a double murder. They showed highlights of the 20 year investigation. Geez - woulda been pretty boring to show the entire 20 years; and every time a detective took a phone call. They abbreviated it for time - and to hold interest. Free country to post opinions. I thought it could have been edited to keep it more interesting. You didn't. I can live with that. Peace.

[@AgentJayZ]

+dave0mary Thanks for being decent and constructive. I don't get a lot of that. This was the first engine that i ran myself, and I wanted to document the experience. I may have lingered a little too long on a few shots, but I did edit hours of footage for this video. A couple years ago, Car and Driver published a list of 100 things they thought every gearhead should do. On that list was "attend a jet engine test". I can tell you that starting and running the jet engine you just built tops that by a fair margin. Thanks again!

[@cubbiotti1980]

Found your channel yesterday night and already I have learned so much great vids keep up the great work thanks. I work for a company that produces the blades for many different turbines, " Allegheny technologies " and its a great pleasure to see them in action.

[@pedro1066]

I have loved seeing this one come together. Thankyu so much for posting. Without wishing to sound like an impatient child...... whats next?

[@SeptimiusSeverusRex]

@1:41 "Those are some pretty sweet numbers there wade" - Fargo

[@davidca96]

Beautiful, such an amazing display of power.

[@lucifer7591]

Well done guys first step to space quickly....

[@AgentJayZ]

+Raymond Rysdyk Uh, No.

[@AgentJayZ]

After the first few seconds, we're feeding the starter over 400 Amps at 30VDC, but I don't know the inrush current. The gauge reads up to 750, and it hits the pin for a tiny speck of time...

[@_BangDroid_]

2:05 sounds exactly like my old stock intel HSF!

[@knobovsossidge2022]

I like your altitude ;)

[@Helicopterpilot16]

Seeing flames come out the rear exhaust isn't a good thing I imagine but I guess it is more common with old engines, with only 1, or 2 stages of turbines. I have captured video of the Fairy Gannets Double Mamba engine, and when they were starting her up after a quick shutdown it spit out flames. Very happy for your successful start, not many people would know the stress involved on such a complex piece of machinery that you rebuild. I hope the next test goes even better! Take care Jay.

[@hommie789]

Another great video looks like a perfect run but at the end you said you had some work to do, after the run what did you find on the engine? Did it perform like expected? What's left to do and when are you looking at doing another run? Great video and like bigb0r3 said I appreciate the effort you go through to bring us along with you.

[@sodemoot]

Pure candy ! Can you please explain what things needed to be done after this first run ? Just resolving some minor leakages and stuff ?

[@cdkpfreese]

My dad and I just watched your vid.

[@deSloleye]

What is happening in the engine when there's heaps of flame coming out the back and what changes when the flame stops? You've explained bits of this in the past, particularly about the inaccuracies of the old fuel systems putting in too much. It's my guess that the flames (which seem pretty stable) are from too much fuel and too low RPM. The flames stop coming when the RPM gets past a crtitical number. In the meantime, the turbine is roasting. Is that right? REALLY fascinating vid! Thanks heaps!