Thames & Kosmos: Air-Power Turbo Racer

Build a lightning-fast race car powered by nothing but air — no batteries or electric motor required! Use the sleek, integrated pump to compress air into the tank, then put the car on the ground and watch it zoom away! The innovative air-powered engine works just like a combustion engine in gasoline cars, minus the burning of fossil fuels. The engine intakes pressurized air from the tank, which pushes the piston forward. The piston knocks against the valve, releasing air into the cylinder, which pushes the piston down, rotating the rear axle of the car. The piston expels the air from the cylinder, creating a puff of exhaust and a real engine sound. Vrooom! Vrooom!

• Travels up to 30 feet at 13 feet per second! (9 mph)

• Pump 14 times for 3 million kilograms per cubic meter of pressure!

• See physics in action! Learn about the properties of air and how it powers this amazing air engine technology in the real world.

• Full-color, 24-page manual

• No batteries required