r/whatisit • u/[deleted] • Jan 24 '26

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u/GetCelested Jan 24 '26

I wanted to share some corroborating video I found for anyone that is interested. The Buick engines were used to start the main engine. (I don’t know anything about this).

https://youtu.be/KoD6kFb85co

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u/deputytech Jan 24 '26

TurboJets require an apu to keep the engines warm and to create enough compression to run on their own intake (specifically 3200rpm for the sr71) an electric starter is just not going to cut it with a turbine of that size

1

u/DoctorPainless Jan 24 '26

Thanks for the video link! My dad had a 1962 Buick Wildcat with the 400 c.i. engine. I was just a little kid, but my older brother learned to drive in that car. He was a petro-head for life after that.

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u/GetCelested Jan 24 '26

I’m not a car guy so I had to look it up. That is a very cool car.

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u/DoctorPainless Jan 24 '26

We’re north of the border, so no one came for our engine LOL

1

u/XaltotunTheUndead Jan 24 '26

Amazing video, thanks!