Men of Power by Robert Jackson

Men of Power by Robert Jackson

Author:Robert Jackson
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781783409426
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2013-05-29T16:00:00+00:00


Harvey Heyworth in the cockpit of a Gloster Meteor, an aircraft in which he made some brilliant demonstration flights. Rolls-Royce via Corinne Moore

The brilliance was much in evidence on 13 October 1945, when Harvey Heyworth put Meteor Mk.3 EE339 through its paces before a considerable crowd at Burnaston aerodrome near Derby, at that time the home of No 16 Elementary Flying Training School. Heyworth’s demonstration, at 4.00pm, was the climax of the show. A local newspaper was euphoric in its subsequent report, which appeared under the headline: METEOR’S FLASH AND SCREAM AMAZED DERBY CROWDS.

The 1500 people who went to Burnaston on Saturday to see the Gloster Meteor jet, missed it when it flashed over the aerodrome on its first run. The fastest thing on earth – which, powered with Rolls-Royce Derwent turbines, will make an attempt on the world speed record this week – flashed towards the airfield from behind the hangars. People were scanning the sky eagerly. Suddenly there came a deafening scream. The ground seemed to shake. The aircraft had, however, already passed over the spectators’ heads. It had made its entrance and exit almost without being seen. When the crowd caught sight of it, it was as a blurred object shooting into the clouds.

The Meteor flew at a minimum level, but its approach was not seen or heard. Again there came that petrifying sound and this time the crowd looked in front of the noise – and saw it. The aircraft twisted and spun and so great was its speed that it left vapour trails from its wingtips. The amazed crowd stood rooted to the ground as the machine flashed over their heads several times. Nothing has ever been so correctly named and the only description of the aircraft is ‘meteor-like.’

The machine’s climbing power is unbelievable. Almost within its own length it can turn on its tail and hurtle into the sky.



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