Evening star., 1949-11-09
Original British Jet Engine
Presented to Smithsonian


Presented to Sn
An original British engine
which introduced a new era in
aircraft propulsion, was presented
formally to the American people
here yesterday by Sir Oliver
Franks, British Ambassador.
Present at the full-dress cere-
mony at the Smithsonian Institu-
ton was the 42-year-old inventor
Sir Frank Whittle, who conceived
the revolutionary idea more than
20 years ago while a cadet in the
Royal Air Force.
The historic WIx Whittle en-
gine was the first to be airborne
in successful jet fight and the
first to be sent to America by
the British to be studied and re-
produced. This occurred just be-
fore the United States entered
the war and while England was
desperately developing new types
of fighters to repel the threat OF
destruction by Nazi bombers.
Sir Oliver said the presentation
was symbolic of the relationship
of our two countries"
This jet engine" he said, "a
product of research and design
in Britain, came over here to re-
ceive a rich increase in develop
ment given in the fullest cooper
alton by the engineering skill OF
the American Nation.
"The engine, as it rests in the
Smithsonian, will mark not only
a chapter in the book of aviation,
but a chapter in Anglo American
collaboration and friendships
long chapter which is still being
written as our two countries work
together for peace, prosperity and
strength in the democratic world.
Cites Jet Airliner.
Before the ceremony, Sir Frank
told reporters present-day jets
already can compete on equal
terms in the commercial field with
aircraft powered by conventional
engines. He cited, as a case In
point, the performance of the
new jet airliner, which made a
round trip to Africa with a full
load in the time required to make
a one-way flight by the fastest
conventional transports. -
Sir Frank estimated the modern
Jets produce three times as much
power as his early models. with
relation to size. and at least two
and a half as much with relation
to weight. The improvements are
progressing almost too rapidly" F"
he said, because the increase In
speed is apt to outstrip public &C
ceptance of the new mode OF
travel.
Sir Frank expressed the opinion
that navigational improvements,
such as radar and instrument
landing systems, will fit the air.
ways to accommodate the high
speed transports as rapidly as they
can be put into service. especially
in this country.
Forecasts Use hy BOAC.
He explained that the British
Overseas Airways Corp, for which
he is q ,consultant on jet aircraft.
probably will put the jets in serv-
ice when they acquire i've Of the
new airliners in about two years.
Firxt rnedels. he added, ,willsnot 60
lint6 transatlantic selNioe. He
grffned hut would notteo Comment
em 9 question Of whetn Q plane
b 3ly designed to Anglo
Au5e6an service Is Iesstg COM
pls$o1I l5ssss 4.
III. Aiexalaaef wetlnnre secre-
tary u the Smithsonian praised
British scientists and engineers
for playing leading role IA the
development Of slaAtion f6F sev-
eral generations. A014fd the gift
symbolized archaeological accom-
plishment and international fra
ternity."
Sir Oliver pointed out that :,
little less than q year ago he had
presented the Kitty Hawk plane
Of the Wright brothers to the
Smithsonian upon its return from
exile In England. The late Orville
Wright had sent the historic plane
to England because Of q dispute
with former Smithsonian oficist>
over giving credit for mans first
power fight in an airplane.
Sir Frank told reporters that,
while the Germans and Italians
developed experimental jet models
at about the time he was produc-
ing his first engines, they later
abandoned the projects because
Of accidents. The Germans how
ever. were forced by desperation
to produce jet fighters to defend
themselves from Allied bombers
in closing months Of the. war.
England withheld most Of her jets
and threw them into action
against the buzz bombs.
Visited q. s. in Secret.
The wiry little British inventor
told Of coming to this country in
the early days Of the war under
IN A0llEE !