SCREAMING SPEED

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22246, 15 January 1944, Page 6

SCREAMING SPEED

JET-PROPELLED PLANE REVOLUTIONARY DESIGN

STRATOSPHERE TRAVEL (United Press Assn.— Elpc. Tel. Copyright) (Received Jan. 15, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 14 Passenger stratosphere flights at extremely high speed would be within the bounds of possibility with jet-propelled planes, declared Mr George Geoffrey Smith. The jetpropulsion engine started like the motor-car, acceleration being phenomenally rapid. The rotating mechanism would scream up to a speed of thousands of revolutions per minute immediately if desired. Crack test pilots said the planes were easily flown. Mr Smith said that while he was unable to divulge the exact figure, in his opinion speeds between 500 and 609 miles an hour might become commonplace. Jet-propulsion did not need high grade aviation spirit as fuel. They could use kerosene, diesel oil or tar oil. The plane required only a simple fuel injection system, while controls and instruments for pilots were minimised. “The advent of this British gas turbine will revolutionise plane design,’’ Mr Smith said. “Turbines will be most desirable for high speed and high altitude passenger planes and for the huge transport planes now being planned.”