Jet-powered shopping trolley

ananova ^ | 6th October 2004 | A.N.Other

[ijcr]

A Suffolk man has created the world's fastest shopping trolley - by fitting a jet engine.

Andy Tyler, 35, adapted the trolley which he fished out of a river, reports the Daily Mirror.

The father-of-two can travel at more than 50mph in the machine but it's so noisy that it hurts his ears.

The engine is powered by gas and liquid fuel and explodes 40 times a second to propel the trolley.

Andy built his own engine from a discarded stainless steel restaurant worktop.

He attached the gas supply, liquid fuel and engine and added sturdier wheels, an accelerator, brake and steering device.

It cost only £50 and took him just a few weeks to build at his home in Beccles, Suffolk.

Andy, a microlight instructor, said: "People think I'm off my trolley but when it gets going it is exhilarating.

"I am now working on a bigger engine which I hope will propel me even faster. It can't be driven on roads and it is not very efficient - to run it for an hour would cost £300."

[ijcr]

I have grave doubts about its cornering abilities.

[5Madman2]

Future Darwin winner

[Servant of the 9]

Do they let him drive it in the store?

SO9

[Ranxerox]

I have grave doubts about Andy Tyler's cornering abilities.

[Hatteras]

So, he's still only allowed 10 items or less at the Express Register.

[martin_fierro]

[dead]

When I was a juvenile delinquent, we used to get shopping carts moving over fourty miles an hour by putting them in front of our parents' cars and building up speed over the course of Shop Rite's very large parking lot.

We had a ramp at the end that would then launch them over a fence and a creek, where they would crash in a field on the other side.

[cowboyway]

Geez, and I thought all the nuts were in California.

[monday]

"adapted the trolley which he fished out of a river"

No pic's? Whats a trolley anyway? In the US a trolley would be like a streetcar. Public transportation. Do they toss out trolleys in the river in England?

[monday]

never mind. Those are shopping carts, btw.

[Shryke]

I want to thank you, Martin, for showing me my true path in life. I will never buy another peasant-class, piston-engined vehicle again.

Just look at that RA. It's beautiful. I think this is more wonderful than Rutan and all his stuff! They need to publish the thrust to weight ratios on that puppy. I want two. Three. I want an ARMY of jet-powered........STUFF!

[Rakkasan1]

wonder if it still has that one squeaky wheel...

[NRA2BFree]

That's cute...but...I bet I could beat him. Not only would I make better time, but I could spend more money than he ever dreamed about spending. I can fill one basket but by the time I check out they have to put it all in two baskets. Now, I must admit that I can't even figure out how I manage to do that. LOL Yep, I've got that power shopping perfected. 8-)

[Ranxerox]

Just look at that RA. It's beautiful. I think this is more wonderful than Rutan and all his stuff! They need to publish the thrust to weight ratios on that puppy. I want two. Three. I want an ARMY of jet-powered........STUFF!

It looks like that thing is basically a pulse-jet, the same engine used in the V-2 "buzz-bombs" (c. WWII). Cheap to build, just a combustion chamber and nozzle. Looks like Andy used old plumbing parts. Nice touch using the fuel tank as a bumper, Andy.

[Shryke]

Ah. Very well. Then I shall equip everything I own with two jets! Muwahahahahahaha!

Just think about it, in all seriousness: Your friends come over for dinner, and look down at the dining chairs, table, couch, lap, etc., all equipped with a properly sized pulse jet. When the obvious question comes up ("Uh, what in hell are all these things attached to your stuff"?), you can reply, "They're jet engines. I don't f__ around anymore, Frank. Don't touch. What can I get you to drink?"

[VoiceOfBruck]

I have grave doubts about its cornering abilities.

I think "grave" is the operative word here.

[Ranxerox]

"They're jet engines. I don't f__ around anymore, Frank. Don't touch. What can I get you to drink?"

LOL

"Cigar? Cigarette? Anyone care for a light?"

[Junior]

Whats a trolley anyway?

Their word for "shopping cart."

[Shryke]

See? We're on the same page.

[Cloud William]

Nice touch using the fuel tank as a bumper, Andy.

Yup... this guy is gonna be a crispy critter. It'll be spectacular, I'm sure - sort of real-life version of the "JATO-powered Impala"