12/29/2003

Nitrous Oxide

>From Bios 1612 on the use of Nozzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.  Even the
krauts were not found of it.

"D.) Power Boost

Amongst the fuels used for temporary increase in output for such special
purposes as starting and air combat were methanol and ethanol, leaded or
unleaded. A number of experiments were made which confirmed the
advantages claimed for secondary injection of methanol water mixtures
and pure water. In particular, water-methanol mixtures with more than
50% methanol were found suitable for a double fuel operation. 

Over a period of four years nitrous oxide was extensively used as a
means of temporarily boosting engine power at high altitudes. At first
it was used liquefied under pressure at atmospheric temperature. This
method gave somewhat erratic running since pressure altered with the
external air temperature and with vapourisation. Later super-cooled,
pressureless nitrous oxide was used, which allowed larger quantities to
be carried and effected an improvement in the specific performance due
to increased internal cooling. In spite of the wide use of nitrous oxide
for boosting power, C.I.O.S. Report No. XXXII-44 mentions the tendency
to look upon it solely as a makeshift for a good supercharger and
internal cooling."