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Vehicles

Gloster E.28/39

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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.

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
Cross-Tradition 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
WikipediaFirst flight section
Quote, 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).
View the Source
1. Wikipedia: Frank Whittle
WikipediaInvented By: Frank WhittleView the Source
1. Wikipedia: Frank Whittle
WikipediaExemplifies: AviationView the Source
1. Wikipedia: Frank Whittle
WikipediaPreceded By: Wright FlyerView the Source
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