Aviation fans love first jet weekend
Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre teamed up with the Jet Provost Group and Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre for a weekend of jets, talks and fun for all the family.
On May 15, 1941 RAF Cranwell saw the first flight of the Gloster E28/39, proving the principle of jet propulsion for aircraft and leading to the first generation of jet fighters. It was created by famous Cranwellian, Sir Frank Whittle.
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Hide AdThere were well attended talks at Metheringham by Sir Frank’s son, Ian, and by Nigel Macknight, the world water speed record challenger.
The engines were fired up on a restored Jet Provost at Metheringham and a jet powered car. There was also a display at the RAF Cranwell Heritage and Ethos Centre.
Almost 300 visitors attended Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre’s exhibition about Sir Frank Whittle.
Heritage assistant Angela Riley said: “Celebrating this anniversary was particularly important to us and I personally think Frank Whittle is one of the most important individuals in modern aviation - if he hadn’t thought about introducing the jet engine everyone wouldn’t be going on holiday around the world.”