Jet Pioneers

Jet Pioneers
Author: Tim Kershaw
Publisher:
Total Pages: 150
Release: 2004
Genre: Gloucestershire (England)
ISBN: 9780750932127

In April 1941 Britain's first jet left the ground at a grass airfield 4 miles from Gloucester Cathedral. It was the start of a revolution in air travel, military and civilian. During the 1940s Britain's first-ever jet aircraft, the world's first jet fighter in squadron service and the first jet to hold the world air-speed record were all designed, built and flown in the Gloucester and Cheltenham area. The story of Frank Whittle's invention and dogged development of the jet engine is well known. But the account of how his invention was put into the air has never been fully told. This book tells the story of how the men and women of north Gloucestershire made Whittle's engine fly.

The First Jet Pilot

The First Jet Pilot
Author: Lutz Warsitz
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
Total Pages: 239
Release: 2009-04-21
Genre: History
ISBN: 1781598142

The pilot’s son delivers “a fascinating read and an invaluable insight in to the workings of pre- and wartime test flying under the Third Reich” (Military Aircraft Monthly). On 27 August 1939, Flugkapitan Erich Warsitz became the first man to fly a jet aircraft, the Heinkel He 178, and in June of the same year he flew the first liquid-fuel rocket aircraft, the Heinkel He 176. His legendary flying skills enabled him to assist the pioneering German aircraft and engine design teams that included Wernher von Braun and Ernst Heinkel. He repeatedly risked his life extending the frontiers of aviation in speed, altitude and technology and survived many life-threatening incidents. This book is written by Erich’s son who has used his father’s copious notes and log books that explain vividly the then halcyon days of German aviation history. Warsitz was feted by the Reich’s senior military figures such as Milch, Udet and Lucht and even Hitler keenly followed his experimental flying. Little is known of this pioneer period because of the strict secrecy which shrouded the whole project—it is a fascinating story that tells of the birth of the jet age and flight as we know it today. The book includes many unseen photographs and diagrams. “This book is nothing short of a gem for anyone interested in real aviation history . . . through Lutz Warsitz’s words, readers share the emotions— apprehension, loyalty, fear, frustration and elation—of being part of some of aviation’s most significant advances.” —Pacific Wing Magazine “More than just a good read. An historical document of inestimable value in the aviation pioneering field.” —Airnews

Jet Man

Jet Man
Author: Duncan Campbell-Smith
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 618
Release: 2020-12-10
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1788544684

The story of Frank Whittle – RAF pilot, mathematician of genius, inventor of the jet engine and British hero. 'Wonderful' David Edgerton, TLS 'A fascinating account' Aeroplane Monthly 'Casts new light on the intense, heroic character of Frank Whittle' Leo McKinstry '[A] thorough dissection of the evolution of the jet engine... I recommend this mighty tome unreservedly' Journal of Aeronautical History 'A long overdue corrective of an extraordinary man' James Hamilton-Paterson 'A fine, deeply researched book' Military History Monthly In 1938, a thirty-one-year-old RAF pilot and engineer named Frank Whittle – given special leave to pursue his own startlingly original concept of flight – presented the Air Ministry with a written proposal for a revolutionary jet-powered fighter aircraft. A ready response might have changed the course of history, but Whittle got no reply. In this gripping and insightful biography, Duncan Campbell-Smith charts Whittle's success at building a pre-war jet engine against all the odds – and tracks his desperate struggle to have it launched into active service against Hitler's Luftwaffe. It arrived too late – but nonetheless transformed the future of aviation.

Jet

Jet
Author: Sir Frank Whittle
Publisher: Sapere Books
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2023-03-14
Genre:
ISBN: 9781800557093

The remarkable story of the early days of jet development as told by the 'father of the jet engine', Frank Whittle. For aviation enthusiasts and readers of Ian Mackersey, Duncan Campbell-Smith and Graham Hoyland. On the evening of 15th May 1941, a small group gathered at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire to watch as the Gloster-Whittle E.28/39 made its maiden flight - Britain's first jet-engined aeroplane. This book chronicles the story behind that historic event. Sir Frank Whittle, who eleven years earlier, at the age of 22, had applied for his patent for a turbo-jet engine, here sets on record his own pioneering work and that of the small company, Power Jets Ltd, which he helped to form in 1936 to develop the engine. The dreams of his youth were brought to fruition in an invention that not only revolutionised military aircraft but set Britain ahead of the world in civil aviation, bringing the inventor a knighthood at the age of 41. Written in non-technical language and drawing upon his own comprehensive diaries and correspondence, Sir Frank Whittle describes his hard and often bitter struggle with engineering problems, with financial difficulties and with the frustrations arising out of official policy, which came at great personal cost and which eventually led to the downfall of Power Jets. Jet: The Story of a Pioneer chronicles the pioneering work of Sir Frank Whittle and his determination to turn his idea into reality. 'an honest story told first hand by the pioneer engineer, flight-rated military officer, and persevering genius that was Sir Frank Whittle' - enginehistory.org

The Jet Race and the Second World War

The Jet Race and the Second World War
Author: S. Mike Pavelec
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Total Pages: 249
Release: 2007-02-28
Genre: History
ISBN: 1573567191

In the 1930s, as nations braced for war, the German military build up caught Britain and the United States off-guard, particularly in aviation technology. The unending quest for speed resulted in the need for radical alternatives to piston engines. In Germany, Dr. Hans von Ohain was the first to complete a flight-worthy turbojet engine for aircraft. It was installed in a Heinkel-designed aircraft, and the Germans began the jet age on August 27, 1939. The Germans led the jet race throughout the war and were the first to produce jet aircraft for combat operations. In England, the doggedly determined Frank Whittle also developed a turbojet engine, but without the support enjoyed by his German counterpart. The British came second in the jet race when Whittle's engine powered the Gloster Pioneer on May 15, 1941. The Whittle-Gloster relationship continued and produced the only Allied combat jet aircraft during the war, the Meteor, which was relegated to Home Defense in Britain. In America, General Electric copied the Whittle designs, and Bell Aircraft contracted to build the first American jet plane. On October 1, 1942, a lackluster performance from the Bell Airacomet, ushered in the American jet age. The Yanks forged ahead, and had numerous engine and airframe programs in development by the end of the war. But, the Germans did it right and did it first, while the Allies lagged throughout the war, only rising to technological prominence on the ashes of the German defeat. Pavelec's analysis of the jet race uncovers all the excitement in the high-stakes race to develop effective jet engines for warfare and transport.

Jet Pioneers

Jet Pioneers
Author: Tim Kershaw
Publisher: The History Press
Total Pages: 119
Release: 2004-03-18
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 0752494996

In April 1941 Britain's first jet left the ground at a grass airfield 4 miles from Gloucester Cathedral. It was the start of a revolution in air travel, military and civilian. During the 1940s Britain's first-ever jet aircraft, the world's first jet fighter in squadron service and the first jet to hold the world air-speed record were all designed, built and flown in the Gloucester and Cheltenham area. The story of Frank Whittle's invention and dogged development of the jet engine is well known. But the account of how his invention was put into the air has never been fully told. This book tells the story of how the men and women of north Gloucestershire made Whittle's engine fly.

World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines

World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines
Author: Bill Gunston
Publisher: History Press
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2006
Genre: Aircraft industry
ISBN: 9780750944793

In this new edition, Gunston describes every major aeroplane manufacturer throughout the world. He focuses on the aircraft from the pioneering days to the very latest engines, and places each engine within its technological and historical context.

The Development of Jet and Turbine Aero Engines

The Development of Jet and Turbine Aero Engines
Author: Bill Gunston
Publisher: Patrick Stephens Limited
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2006
Genre: Aircraft gas-turbines
ISBN: 9780750944779

Using language understandable to those without an engineering background and avoiding complex mathematical formulae, Bill Gunston explains the differences between gas-turbine, jet, rocket, ramjet and helicopter turbo shaft aero engines and traces their histories from the early days through to today’s complex and powerful units as used in the latest wide-bodied airliners and high performance military jets.

Aircraft

Aircraft
Author: DK
Publisher: National Geographic Books
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2022-04-26
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 0744027454

Take an action-packed flight through the history of aircraft and discover the intrepid pioneers who made a dream reality Uncover the engineering behind more than 800 aircraft models, from military jets to commercial planes. This visual history book captures the fascinating story of airplanes and aviation, and how their groundbreaking discovery has influenced the 21st Century. Inside the pages of this aircraft book, you’ll discover: • The history of military and commercial aircraft from all over the world, decade by decade, to the present day in stunning visual detail • Comprehensive catalogs highlight the most important aircraft of each period along with their specifications and unique features • Showcases on particularly celebrated aircraft – such as the Supermarine Spitfire and Concorde – in beautifully photographed “virtual tour” features • The stories of the engineers and manufacturers that created marques like Boeing and Airbus Take to the skies Modern flight has opened the world up to new opportunities and paved the way for the development of advanced research and technology. But, what made it so groundbreaking? This book uncovers the stories behind the first airplane models, the development of flight, and brings you to present-day marvels such as the Gypsy Moth and Supermarine Spitfire. The Aircraft Book is filled with stats, facts, and photographs that create a visual tour and allows you to see inside key commercial and military aircraft models from the exterior to the cockpit. Aviation enthusiasts will also be captivated by the manufacturer of aircraft engines and how famous models like Boeing and Lockheed became household names. Love history? Discover even more with DK! DK's The Definitive Visual History series is an iconic celebration of design and history. Packed with fascinating facts and statistics, these high-quality visual guides cover everything from history and notable designs to the people and technology that made it possible. Books in this series include The Car Book, The Train Book, The Tank Book, and so much more.

Jet City Rewind

Jet City Rewind
Author: Timothy A. Nelson
Publisher: Schiffer Military History
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2016
Genre: Aeronautics
ISBN: 9780764351068

From the dawn of human flight to today, Seattle has hosted flying history from dirigibles and fabric biplanes to jumbo jets, from epic pioneering flights to innovative companies making world travel routine. This book recaptures that historical awe and connects it with a sense of place. These subjects may span decades of existence or represent a single day's events. Some are inspiring places of creativity and innovation, some are grim accident sites. All have some significance to the story of flight in the region. Do you know the exact spot of the first airplane flight in the area? How about where The Boeing Company began? Where did the top secret XB-29 prototype crash during its urgent WWII test program? Where did the first non-stop flight across the Pacific end? This book will answer those questions and many more as we dig into the aviation archaeology of the "Jet City" and its surroundings.