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Gloster E.28/39

Supersonic and Experimental Aircraft

Britains first jet aircraft, built by the Gloster Aircraft Company around Frank Whittles W.1 turbojet engine. It made its maiden flight from RAF Cranwell on 15 May 1941, flying for seventeen minutes and reaching about 340 miles per hour, proving that jet propulsion was operationally feasible and opening the jet age of aviation. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Year
1941 1
Significance
The first flight of a British jet aircraft, and the flight that proved turbojet propulsion was operationally viable. 1
Manufacturer or Builder
Gloster Aircraft Company 1
Gloster E.28/39
Filter Results1 entry
Connections

Exemplifies

Aviation, Modes
Source Wikipedia: Frank Whittle

Invented By

Frank Whittle, Figures
Source Wikipedia: Frank Whittle

Preceded By

Wright Flyer, Vehicles

Both landmark firsts of powered flight eras: the Wright Flyer of propeller driven powered flight in 1903, the E.28/39 of jet powered flight in 1941.

Source Wikipedia: Frank Whittle
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Frank Whittle
Wikipedia
  • First flight section
    The definitive W.1 of 850 lbf (3.8 kN) thrust ran on 12 April 1941, and on 15 May the W.1-powered E.28/39 took off from Cranwell at 7:40 pm, flying for 17 minutes and reaching a maximum speed of around 340 mph (545 km/h).
  • Invented By: Frank Whittle
  • Exemplifies: Aviation
  • Preceded By: Wright Flyer
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