Skip to main content

Late for school?

An American man has built a jet powered school bus capable of maximum speeds of 587km/h. Explaining that as a school child he found his daily trips in a slow moving school bus frustrating, the man used a surplus engine from a supersonic F4 Phantom jet and a secondhand school bus as the basis for his project.
February 22, 2012 Read time: 1 min
An American man has built a jet powered school bus capable of maximum speeds of 587km/h. Explaining that as a school child he found his daily trips in a slow moving school bus frustrating, the man used a surplus engine from a supersonic F4 Phantom jet and a secondhand school bus as the basis for his project. Custom-built, the turbine powered bus now features few standard components from the original school bus. The man said that he and his associates built the bus to entertain the crowds at drag strip events as well as to deter children from experimenting with drugs and he uses the slogan; "Jets are hot, drugs are not". With its engine on full afterburner the bus is capable of shooting flames over 24m long from its tailpipe, which would certainly deter persistent tailgaters. Fuel economy is somewhat on the low side however, with the bus using 568litres of aviation fuel for each 400m drag strip speed run.

Related Content

  • Developments in diesel technology are a focus for producers
    January 19, 2016
    The diesel engine manufacturers are continuing their development of low emission engines as well as solutions for markets where fuel quality is an issue - Mike Woof writes. Developments in diesel engine technology are the continued focus for manufacturers facing tough challenges around the world. New low emission engines are being developed for developed markets such as Europe and the US, with Europe now taking a further step ahead to target pollutants from the tailpipe. Meanwhile firms are also looking int
  • Developments in compact asphalt compaction
    February 20, 2012
    An array of new models has increased competition in the market for compact asphalt compaction products - Mike Woof reports
  • Quarry operators improve on productivity
    February 13, 2012
    With capital expenditure plans being reduced, many quarry operators are using the funds available to improve on productivity with their existing equipment fleets. Claire Symes reports. The economic downturn has had a big impact on the aggregates production sector with many quarry operators looking to reduce costs and rationalise operations. The impact of this can be seen in the reduction of capital expenditure plans but the investments that are being made are focused on efficiency.
  • Asphalt paving developments
    March 13, 2012
    US and European asphalt paving needs are different, but some firms are bridging that gap, reports Mike Woof. With a clear differentiation between the US and European asphalt paving markets, manufacturers from the latter are now developing machines aimed at the former. The US and European markets for paving machines have developed along very different lines. North American pavers are designed for high throughputs and high paving rates, having been designed to meet a need to build roads over long distances wi