Rusty,

Too bad these aren't available.  Seems like a perfect gyro engine. 

(No, I'm not suggesting you pose as a target drone.)   ;-)

 

Mark S.

 

Norton Aircraft and Target Drone Engines

NR642: 90 bhp from 60 kg total weight with integrated reduction gearbox. Twin rotor by 294 cc gives 588 cc. At cruise, Specific fuel consumption (SFC) of 0.51 lb / bhp per hour. Uses leaded or unleaded, Avgas or Mogas fuels. In field trials, 1989, when it was chosen by the joint McDonnell Douglas / Development Sciences Corporation team as the best engine for short range Remote Piloted Vehicles (RPV). This engine was approved by the CAA for civilian passenger aircraft in December 1990. During testing, the engine is run for 150 hours at 8000 rpm, disassembled, reassembled and run again for 150 hours. This is like driving at a constant speed of 120 miles per hour for 35,000 miles with only one stop.

In 1990 Norton contracted Rogers Aviation in Cranfield, England, to install a Cessna 152 with an NR642 for testing. One was powering a Seabird Sentinel pusher prop light aircraft in 1989. Two were in an Ivan Shaw TwinEze, cruising speed 175 knots, two pusher props of 53 in diameter. Ivan Shaw was GM of Aviation Composites Ltd, a former branch of the Lotus car company.

NR622: similar to NR642, but has a lower prop line and a lighter gearbox. 82 bhp. The latest model is the P62 which increases its output to 90 bhp by using an exhaust ejector system of rotor cooling.

NR731: 38 bhp from 10 kg (23 lb) constant speed engine. Low Specific fuel consumption: 0.52 lb/bhp per hour at cruise. Air cooled. In production, 1989. Formerly P73. Was fitted into Banshee 300 RPV military target drone.

NR801: Ultra light and compact liquid cooled RPV engine. 294cc by one rotor. 40 bhp at 6000 rpm or 50 bhp at 75000 rpm, 23 kg including integrated 1.5 kw alternator. Was in pre-production in 1989.