Boeing T50 Turbine Jet Engine Sells on eBay with Rich Aviation History

The Boeing T50 turbine jet engine has a rich history dating back to the 1940s. Initially developed as a research project, it was later used in various aircraft and drones due to its compact size and fuel efficiency.

In 1949, the Navy's Bureau of Ships designated the engine as the T50 after Boeing delivered six 160 shp engines to the Navy that year. The engine's architecture remained relatively simple for the next two decades, with a single-stage centrifugal compressor fed by two combustion chambers and an axial turbine driving the compressor.

The T50 was used in several historic firsts, including powering the first helicopter rotor through a mechanical transmission in 1951 and setting a light-plane altitude record of 37,063 feet in 1952. It also saw use in early drones, with over 750 DASH airframes built by 1969.

The engine was eventually replaced by more modern designs, but not before being used in various ground applications, including semi-tractors and fire service vehicles. Today, a fully-functional Boeing T50 turbine jet engine is up for sale on eBay, complete with a run stand allowing it to be operated and monitored.