Leading on a jet plane
Cotswold Life|January 2020
From modest beginnings, Frank Whittle went on to invent something that would forever dramatically transform the modern world
Stephen Roberts
Leading on a jet plane

On April 12, 1937, the ‘WU’ (Whittle Unit) screamed into life, roaring like a ferocious lion, heralding the onset of the jet age. We would soon have jet fighters and jet travel as the world shrank and was transformed by this new invention.

For Frank Whittle, having a father who was a mechanical engineer, and owned a small company, was a boon. He was a youngster much inclined towards all things mechanical. He helped out in the workshop and thereby acquired some practical experience. He was born on June 1, 1907, at Newcombe Road, Earlsdon, Coventry. From these modest beginnings, he was destined to become an RAF officer and pilot, and successfully develop the turbojet engine.

Whittle’s initial attempts to join the RAF failed. He was found to be too small for his age. It was only on his third application in 1923 that he was accepted as a boy entrant, aged 16 (moral – ‘never give up’). He qualified as a pilot officer in 1928, having completed his training at RAF College, Cranwell, and was married in 1930 to Dorothy (Lee), with whom he had two sons. Initially posted to a fighter squadron, Whittle later served, first as a flying instructor, then as a test-pilot (1931-32). Not only was he a pilot; he undertook further studies at both the RAF Engineering School and at Cambridge University (1934-1936).

Denne historien er fra January 2020-utgaven av Cotswold Life.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra January 2020-utgaven av Cotswold Life.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA COTSWOLD LIFESe alt
Gloucestershire After The War
Cotswold Life

Gloucestershire After The War

Discovering the county’s Arts and Crafts memorials of the First World War

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
THE WILD SIDE OF Moreton-in-Marsh
Cotswold Life

THE WILD SIDE OF Moreton-in-Marsh

The days are getting shorter but there’s plenty of reasons to be cheerful, says Sue Bradley, who discovers how a Cotswolds town is becoming more wildlife-friendly and pots up some bulbs for an insect-friendly spring display

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2020
Mr Ashbee would approve
Cotswold Life

Mr Ashbee would approve

In the true spirit of the Arts & Crafts Movement, creativity has kept the Chipping Campden community ticking over during lockdown

time-read
8 mins  |
November 2020
The Cotswolds at war
Cotswold Life

The Cotswolds at war

These might be peaceful hills and vales, but our contribution to the war effort was considerable

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2020
Trust in good, local food
Cotswold Life

Trust in good, local food

‘I’ve been following The Country Food Trust’s activities with admiration since it was founded’

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
Why Cath is an open book
Cotswold Life

Why Cath is an open book

Cath Kidston has opened up almost every nook and cranny of her Cotswold idyll in a new book, A Place Called Home. Katie Jarvis spoke to Cath ahead of her appearance at this year’s Stroud Book Festival STROUD BOOK FESTIVAL – THIS YEAR FREE AND ONLINE: NOVEMBER 4-8

time-read
10 mins  |
November 2020
From the Cotswolds to the world
Cotswold Life

From the Cotswolds to the world

Most people know that the Cotswolds have featured in a fair few Hollywood movies and TV series.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
The Wild Hunt
Cotswold Life

The Wild Hunt

In search of the legendary King Herla in the Malvern Hills

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
Fighting spirit amid the flowers
Cotswold Life

Fighting spirit amid the flowers

Tracy Spiers visits Warwick, a beautiful town that is open for business and ready to welcome visitors

time-read
9 mins  |
November 2020
Final journey
Cotswold Life

Final journey

Cheltenham author and volunteer on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR), Nicolas Wheatley, recounts the fascinating story of funeral trains

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020