NEW WEAPON FOR ALLIES

Evening Star, Issue 25068, 8 January 1944, Page 5

NEW WEAPON FOR ALLIES

t \ . GREAT CONTRIBUTION TO AVIATION

(IRec. 10.30 a.m.) RUGBY, Jan. 7 The' jet-propelled aircraft is described as the! most exciting invention since radio location was announced in June, 1941. It suggests, as the 'Yorkshire Post ' observes, that British brains have taken the lead in the field of research, which before the war was largely in German hands. The story testifies also to the close fruitful (British and American co-operation in air pioneering and production. ",,„„' The ' Yorkshire Post' adds: -lie story mayVhave been released at the present timeipartly as a counter-rumour to the Gennfan rocket guns and other secret weapons. Whatever the truth behind thi rumours, and there is certainly some truth, we may reasonably hope that tin the jet-propelled aircraft the Allies i have a new weapon with potentialities equal to those of any new German device." , ~ It was reported to-day that when the new plane (first flew over the Home Counties district of England many people rushed to the shelters, thinking a heavy bomb was screaming down. The aeroplane's arrival was heralded by a distant screech, which increased 'in volume until it resembled the sound of a giant .whistling kettle on the boil. As it passed overhead the rumble of the powerful engine mingled with the whistle. \ . .-. ■ ' ■ • Group-captain . Whittle worked day and night on the invention and took no leave from the beginning of the war until last summer, but was. back at work after-a week. Sir John Mbore-Brabazon, the first English aviatqr and former Minister of Aircraft Production, said to-day: " The jet-propelled aeroplane has been of long development, but is undoubtedly a British contribution topflight. It opens up very great possibilities, and has brought a vtyy high-flying, fastflyinw machine within possibility. In the immediate future it is essentially a fighter proposition, but later it will be developed all along the line."