Three-Shaft Turboprop Engine Model

Three-Shaft Turboprop Engine Model (1:30 TP400 Scale)

This is a detailed 3D-printable model of a three-shaft turboprop engine, loosely inspired by the TP400 (the powerplant used on the Airbus A400M). The model is designed at roughly 1:30 scale and showcases the internal, mechanical architecture of a modern turboprop engine, including:

• Gas Generator Stage – compressor assemblies driven by a high-pressure turbine
• Burner Section – where compressed air mixes with fuel for combustion
• Turbine Stages – extracting energy to drive the compressor and propeller
• 1:20 two stage spur and planetary Reduction Gearbox & Propeller Assembly – lowering shaft speed to drive large, efficient propellers

if you want to build it, i have provided two options. You can either choose the all black print profile with all the parts, or choose the no AMS print profiles, where I have grouped it into sensible parts. In those I have also assigned colors, which I think provide a nice and sensible contrast without the need to paint the model. 

I have included a short pdf, to showcase the build process.

Model Features

• Easy to Assemble – requires only a handful of standard M3x10 and M3x5 bolts, as well as some glue for the stators. (I used UHU Bastelkleber) 
• Almost Fully 3D-Printable – no bearings or complex hardware needed
• Movable & Functional – the turbine and low-pressure shafts are linked to the planetary gearbox, which transfers motion to the propeller assembly
• Demonstration-Friendly – best rotated via the compressor/turbine blades rather than the propeller (to avoid potential damage due to friction induced torque)
• Customizable Finish – my build was fully printed in Bambu Lab PLA Matte Black and hand-painted using Revell enamel paints

I have also created a stand, which you can find here → https://makerworld.com/en/models/1845716-three-shaft-turboprop-engine-model-stand#profileId-1972456

How a Three-Shaft Turboprop Works

A three-shaft turboprop engine is a type of gas turbine designed to efficiently drive large propellers at relatively low RPM. Its main components and flow are:

1. Air Intake & Compression – Ambient air enters the engine and is compressed in multiple stages by the low-, intermediate-, and high-pressure compressors. Each compressor stage is mounted on its own independent shaft, allowing them to operate at optimal speeds.
2. Combustion – In the burner stage, fuel is injected and mixed with the compressed air, then ignited. This creates a high-energy, high-temperature gas stream.
3. Turbine Expansion – The hot gases expand through successive turbine stages, each driving a corresponding compressor (HP, IP, and LP). A portion of the energy is also used to drive the propeller shaft via the reduction gearbox.
4. Reduction Gearbox & Propeller Drive – Because turbine shafts spin at tens of thousands of RPM, a planetary reduction gearbox is needed to lower the rotational speed and deliver usable torque to the large propeller.

This combination provides the efficiency of a gas turbine with the thrust benefits of a propeller—ideal for military transport and heavy-lift aircraft like the Airbus A400M.

Special thanks to CatiaV5FTW for creating an outstanding model (https://grabcad.com/library/turboprop-engine), which served as the source of inspiration for the design of this turboprop design.