In March 1938 research on jet propulsion was underway in Great Britain and the Air Ministry relied heavily on the brand new W1 engine designed by engine manufacturer Powers Jet Limited. This firm had been created a few months earlier by engineer Frank Whittle and developed several engine test benches. The W1 was then so far ahead of the research undertaken in the United Kingdom that London ordered that a version specifically adapted to serve on board of an airplane be built. It was initially envisaged to graft the new reactor onto an existing aircraft, but engineers soon realized that a completely new aircraft was needed. For example, in 1939, the Air Ministry issued Specification E28 / 39 (E for Experimental) for a flying test bench for an improved version of the W1 reactor. Great Britain was entering full throttle in the adventure of jet propulsion.
Several manufacturers were solicited: Blackburn, Fairey, Gloster, and Hawker. Supermarine on his side refused the offer, preferring to concentrate on his fighter, the Spitfire. It was soon established that it was Gloster's project that seemed the most promising. Indeed, all the manufacturers offered a pure test plane, while Gloster established the bases for a light combat aircraft. In the first drafts, very faithful to the final result, the engineers had planned the installation of four 7.7mm machine guns in the nose and wings of the plane. The aircraft selected by the Royal Air Force received the designation of Gloster E28 / 39.
It was a monoplane single-seater mono-reactor with a retractable landing gear. The aircraft had a classic tail unit of reduced size reinforced by two small fins at the ends of the horizontal control surfaces. At the front, the nose was truncated to serve as an air inlet for the aircraft's reactor. The exhaust nozzle is at the rear of the unit under the tail unit. For security reasons the first prototype was not armed.
It was a monoplane single-seater mono-reactor with a retractable landing gear. The aircraft had a classic tail unit of reduced size reinforced by two small fins at the ends of the horizontal control surfaces. At the front, the nose was truncated to serve as an air inlet for the aircraft's reactor. The exhaust nozzle is at the rear of the unit under the tail unit. For security reasons the first prototype was not armed.
Frank Whittle, for his part, continued the work of the W1 to design an improved version designated W2. It was a small turbojet engine with a cyclic type design. The first tests showed a power gain of 20% compared to the W1 and it was decided that this engine would be mounted on the E28 / 39. The assembly was done in the Gloster plants of Chester. From there the aircraft was transported by truck to the civilian airfield of Hucclecote Airfield, where it made its maiden flight on May 15, 1941. For obvious security reasons, Aerodrome had been cleared and no fewer than four RAF squadrons were flying the air defense of the area with a view to the intrusion of possible reconnaissance aircraft or German bombers.
From that day the E28 / 39 was massively used for testing in all genres in the hands of the best pilots of the Royal Aircraft Establishment, the British CEV. Thus, on July 30, 1942, the plane, which had been transferred to Farnborough, flew for the first time at an altitude of 37,000 feet (more than 11 kilometers), ie higher than most Hunters and reconnaissance aircraft then in service within the Luftwaffe.
From that day the E28 / 39 was massively used for testing in all genres in the hands of the best pilots of the Royal Aircraft Establishment, the British CEV. Thus, on July 30, 1942, the plane, which had been transferred to Farnborough, flew for the first time at an altitude of 37,000 feet (more than 11 kilometers), ie higher than most Hunters and reconnaissance aircraft then in service within the Luftwaffe.
The Royal Air Force, for its part, urged Gloster to develop an operational jet fighter, still remembering the possibility of mounting machine guns on the E28 / 39. Nevertheless, the flight tests showed that the aircraft had significant deficiencies, particularly in low-altitude flight areas. Gloster's engineers also worked on an aircraft propelled by two reactors, the future Meteor. The E28 / 39 completed its tests in January 1943 without experiencing any major problems.
If the Gloster E28 / 39 remains the first British jet and at the same time the first allied jet, it is very far in its design of the German Heinkel He-176 more rudimentary. Indeed, the British jet had everything to become an operational aircraft.
Nowadays, the E28 / 39 is preserved in London in the Science Museum of South Kensington in the typical livery of British test aircraft of the Second World War. Gloster Whittle is also often referred to as Gloster Whittle, a tribute to the father of British jet propulsion, which died in 1996. Gloster Pioneer Gloster G.40.
If the Gloster E28 / 39 remains the first British jet and at the same time the first allied jet, it is very far in its design of the German Heinkel He-176 more rudimentary. Indeed, the British jet had everything to become an operational aircraft.
Nowadays, the E28 / 39 is preserved in London in the Science Museum of South Kensington in the typical livery of British test aircraft of the Second World War. Gloster Whittle is also often referred to as Gloster Whittle, a tribute to the father of British jet propulsion, which died in 1996. Gloster Pioneer Gloster G.40.
Specifications :
Length 7.72 mWingspan 8.84 m
Wing area 28,0 m²
Drive a PowerJets W1
Maximum speed 544 km / h
Service height 9755 m
Range 660 km
Crew 1
Leermasse 1300 kg
Max. Start weight 1700 kg
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