science · 15 May 1941 · 83 years ago
In 1941, Britain's first jet-propelled aircraft, the Gloster-Whittle E.28/39, flew for the first time, taking off from RAF Cranwell on a historic 17 minute flight. Its jet engines were designed by Frank Whittle, “the father of the jet engine.” The planes of the 1920s were powered by piston engines, with propellers providing the necessary thrust. This was limiting with regards to speed and height. While he was at Cranwell, still only 21 years old, Whittle began to consider the possibilities of jet propulsion as applied to aircraft. By 1930 he had designed and patented a jet aircraft engine. After 11 years, Whittle's engine, tested and modified, successfully powered an aircraft in flight.
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