’PLANES WITHOUT SCREWS

Grey River Argus, 8 January 1944, Page 3

’PLANES WITHOUT SCREWS

JET-PROPULSION TESTED New Craft Believed in Use [Aust. & N.Z. Press Assn.] (Rec. 9.30.) LONDON, Jan. 7. “The Times’s” aeronautical writer, says: Aeroplane jet-propulsion, which has successfully passed experimental tests, and ‘''will soon be in production, ends the needs for an orthodox engine and air screw. The new type of ’plane, being without an airscrew, has no need for a heavy undercarriage, which is merely dead weight when the ’plane is airborne. There are many varieties of the jetpropulsion system, but broadly the principle is that the air is drawn into ducts in the leading edges of the wings or nose fuselage. It is then mixed with liquid fuel, is compressed by a turbo-driven impeller, and is fired in a combustion chamber. It is then expanded by heat. It is forced our at a high speed through jets or nozzles, emerging from the rear edges of the wings, or from the tail fuselage. The jet-prppulsion system may not only have extremely important war applications, but it may also present ‘tremendous possibilities for air transport after the war. Big strides have already been made, though many problems remain .'to be solved, and among them' that of fuel consumption. The Italian -Caproni Aircraft Coy., two years ago, disclosed that if had made successful flights with jet-pro-pelled ’planes, but their performance was mentioned as not impressive, though it may have been better than the published results. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says: The indications are that new jet-propelled fighters will soon make their debut on the war fronts. Some observers believe such ’planes are already in action, stating that it is the standard British and American practice not to announce new weapons until they have been tried against an enemy and until the enemy is aware of their existence.