Barry K James, FrankWhittleStory_RevE.ppt

CANNOCK CHASE U3A

SCIENCE & T ECHNOLOGY GROUP

The Sir Story 75 th Anniversary of the

June 2016 HIS EARLY YEARS

 Frank Whittle was born in in 1907  Lived in Coventry for 9 years  Then moved to  He helped his Father in his small engineering business.  Learnt a lot about engineering, but only paid 2p/hour.  Won a scholarship to Leamington school  Came top in maths  Used to go to local library to learn about turbines.  But just wanted to fly……...Video1

Whittle1 EARLY DAYS AT THE RAF

 Frank tried to join the RAF, but was turned down twice as too small.  Eventually accepted as an apprentice and became the lead RAF replica builder.  Spotted as being officer material and gained a commission to .  He trained as a cadet pilot, and was spotted as a mathematical genius at Cranwell.  Became a very experienced pilot at 22 but with piston engined propeller planes of the time – 1911 AVRO biplane.

 He thought that there must be a better way to Whittle2 propel the plane for higher speed using turbines.  Convincing the military was another story……….Video2 BREGUET FORMULA (1920’ S)

 This was the now known “Breguet” formula that Whittle devised unknowingly in his thesis:

 i.e. Rate of change of weight with time as fuel is burned gives:

 Range = (V/C) * (L/D) * loge(Wi/Wf)

 V= Velocity in knots  C= Specific fuel consumption in pounds fuel per pounds thrust per hour  L= Lift in pounds  D= Drag in pounds  ln= Natural logarithm, or loge  Wi= Weight of aircraft at start of cruise in pounds  Wf= Weight of aircraft at end of cruise in pounds WHITTLES IDEA …….T HE “MOTOR JET ”

 Steam & water turbines existed, but not applied to flight.

 So the idea was like letting off a balloon…. Turbine

Air Compressor Solid shaft centrifugal connecting turbine & compressor, Igniter & one moving Fuel in part.

 A percentage of the exhaust power via the turbine was used to turn the front end compressor.  The remainder provided thrust out.  His original engine used reverse flow gases in the igniter & a …….Video….. THE IDEA TAKES AN UNEXPECTED TURN

 Although his idea was turned down by the in 1929, he was persuaded to patent the idea in 1930 at age 22.  But others then had a head start.

 Whittle was sent to Cambridge after Cranwell, being told he would be an engineer.

 Sent to Cambridge in 1934…….Video3 Whittle3

 Whittle kept designing, even whilst doing his degree.  Graduated at Cambridge with a First in 1936. THE FIRST ENGINE

 Ltd formed with backing from Falk & Partners investment of £2000 in 1936.  Whittle was still doing his final exams.  BTH in Rugby selected to build the engine. Now called Alstom, still in Rugby.  First design  Used reverse flow

 Then, the first run.  In 1937……..Video4

Whittle4 THE COMPETITION MARCHES

 in Germany were also well ahead using Whittles patent.  They had plenty of money  The Germans also had the will that it would work.

 Power Jets was a different story….  Video5

Whittle5 AT LAST – A F LICKER OF HOPE

 Heinkel overtook Whittle with a complete flight engine and aircraft.  Then in 1939, a breakthrough from the Air Ministry.  Pye immediately ordered a flight engine and aircraft.  Power Jets moved to .  Also had to use Brownsover Hall at Rugby. Whittle6

 Power Jets now galvanised to getting the fighter plane engine finished…..Video6 NOW THINGS GATHERED PACE

 First flight engine ready by May 1941.  The Gloster flies up to 375mph.  Now everyone was falling over themselves to help.  Churchill ordered 1000 more.

Whittle7  But competitors wanted their share of it for the war effort.  GE and Bell in the USA made their own engines.  The technology was just “given away” to them.

 If only the UK Air Ministry had co-operated…Vid7 MORE SKULLDUGGERY

 Whittle was in the USA with GE while the engine for the Meteor was underway.

 Back in the UK, the Air Ministry had contracted the Meteor engine to Rover, the car maker.  Rover made a mess of it, and delayed it by two years.  Then, at last some sense when Rolls Royce took over.  But this put Power Jets in the background.  Caused Whittle anguish and ill health.  ……Video8

Whittle8 BUILD UP , T HEN LET DOWN

 Jet engine was a revelation to pilots.  Secret engine made public in 1944.

 More aircraft followed.  Power Jets expanded and gained manufacturing.  Order books looked good. developed for efficiency.

Whittle9

 Then yet another twist by the Government in 1945.  Whittle was forced out and deprived of design…Video9 DECORATED , BUT NO LONGER WANTED

 Whittle was made an by 1946, but by 1948 was asked to retire from the RAF.  He received a Knighthood in 1948 at 41.  And a payment for his invention.

 In Germany, engines by 1945 were a complex axial design, but only a 25 hour life….Video10.

Whittle10 MEMOIRS OF FRANK WHITTLE

 AIR CDRE  Gave us Concorde and the 747.

 He died in August 1996

Whittle11 EPITAPHS THAT REMAIN WHITTLE ’S W2/700 JET ENGINE

TODAY ’S STRAIGHT THROUGH PRINCIPLE ROVER EVEN TRIED THE JET IN A CAR !