80th Anniversary of 1st Jet Engine Test

[Lex]

An interesting exhibition for you Rebbonk: http://www.rugbyadvertiser.co.uk/new...sary-1-7911071

[rebbonk]

Looks a worthwhile visit.

Incidentally, did you know that we had this and it flew in 1947...

[Lex]

Yes, it looks vaguely familiar.

[rebbonk]

The AW52. Privately designed and built locally but scrapped after stability problems. One of two prototypes crashed but it was the first to use the Martin Baker ejector seat saving the pilot's life.

Locally, we were quite big in the aviation industry.

[Lex]

Apparently, the 'flying wing' design has a lot of stability problems. I remember watching a documentary on stealth bombers & fighters once; it takes a lot of computing power to make constant adjustments to the planes to keep them steady & in in the air.

[rebbonk]

Yes, the design is inherently unstable. A lot of work was done on laminar airflow using wartime Hurricanes. Sadly in 1947 we didn't have computers that fitted aircraft, which would have aided stability. But we didn't do too bad did we?

Many have no idea just how the UK aircraft industry was leading the world. Unfortunately, our hopeless politicians gave it all away and we're now a spent force. There was also a smaller scale glider that sat outside AWA's Baginton works until it rotted away.