Draconis and Leo,
Just finished reading Doug Culy's article which touched on the L-1000 engine in the AEHS website. He indicated that the engine had never run entirely under its own power. Stated somewhat differently, the starting means was unable to overcome adverse pressure differences common to off-design operation of early axial compressors. Chapters have been written on this problem in graduate level texts. One of the best introductory treatments is in "Mechanics and Thermodynamics of Propulsion" by Hill and Peterson. Basically, an axial compressor has to either trick starting pressure differentials and flow velocities with doors that open at the proper time, or (the J-79 comes to mind) with variable pitch stators. The early L-1000/J-37 had neither.
Brute force, a powerful starter motor like the two cycle gas engines used to start Me-262, or simply directing the efflux of another jet engine into the intake (used to start reluctant F-84s) would get it up to speed. Its hard to believe that a rough and ready outfit like CW could not get it running on test. A look at the outstanding R-factor in Culy's article would certainly have gotten my attention.
Dynasoar
Just finished reading Doug Culy's article which touched on the L-1000 engine in the AEHS website. He indicated that the engine had never run entirely under its own power. Stated somewhat differently, the starting means was unable to overcome adverse pressure differences common to off-design operation of early axial compressors. Chapters have been written on this problem in graduate level texts. One of the best introductory treatments is in "Mechanics and Thermodynamics of Propulsion" by Hill and Peterson. Basically, an axial compressor has to either trick starting pressure differentials and flow velocities with doors that open at the proper time, or (the J-79 comes to mind) with variable pitch stators. The early L-1000/J-37 had neither.
Brute force, a powerful starter motor like the two cycle gas engines used to start Me-262, or simply directing the efflux of another jet engine into the intake (used to start reluctant F-84s) would get it up to speed. Its hard to believe that a rough and ready outfit like CW could not get it running on test. A look at the outstanding R-factor in Culy's article would certainly have gotten my attention.
Dynasoar