the Battle of Britain: The rise of the turbojet

[gloster meteor mk3]

summer 1940

the battle of Britain is in full swing the Luftwaffe sends its biggest concentration of bombers and fighters yet. there target Dover and the surrounding airfields. Britain sends its newest technology into the air the gloster G:40 mk4 armed with six 20mm cannon in the the wings .the design is radical even to the top commanders. swept wings and a single engine in the body of the aircraft giving the aircraft exceptional stability and speed.

February 20th 1933

frank whittle shows a bench test of his prototype turbojet engine to the air ministry and the ministry of aircraft production.The air ministry rejects the idea as too fantastic to work. the ministry of aircraft production is far more enthusiastic and asks mr whittle what he would need to make a flight worthy jet engine.

frank whittle reply's a work shop bigger than this and 150 skilled workers to get a flyable prototype into production and a plane to fit the engine into.

July 10th 1933

The first flyable prototype jet engine is tested at RAF cranwell in front of the air ministry and air craft production. RAF fighter command is also present. frank whittle at the controls of the gloster E.28/39 lifts off and does a 17 minute flight. climbing upto 40,000 feet and hitting 466 mph in a dive pulling up 50 feet from the ground the sound wave knocks the observers onto the ground.after the flight whittle answers questions from the observers.

"how fast did you go in this aircraft asks a flight leader".whittle replies i hit 466 mph i could of pushed it further but thought better of it".
the ministry of aircraft production ask " when can you start putting the engines into full production".

"straight away as long as i get the materials i need and an airframe i can build the engine around".

1935

the first of glosters G.40 Mk1 goes into full production armed with four .303 machine guns, its learned later that the .303 round does little damage to a bomber and the machine guns jam if you keep the trigger pressed for more than 10 seconds. the mk2 version gets four 20mm cannon and better landing gear.

1936

the Mk 2 enters production in march 1936 armed with the 20 mm cannons and a primitive ejection seat. the end of 1936 the first mk2,s are delivered to the RAF who are extremely happy with the new aircraft.

1937

the RAF flight qualify the Mk 2 half the RAF fighter command is now jet qualified, only the northern squadrons are not.

the MK3 goes into production with better engines and better cannons six 20 mm in groups of three in each wing plus a better ejection seat.

the first next generation jet engine fighter the supermarine thunder has its test flight with jerry sayer at the controls, he pushes the aircraft to its limit. he reaches 520mph in level flight, he is the first man to reach 48,000 feet. whittle congratulates sayer the air ministry orders production of 500 of the aircraft to be delivered by 1943.

1938

the last of the Mk3,s are delivered to the RAF.

the Mk4 enters production. Whittle has a nervous break down due to stress during a bench test of his new turbo jet engine. doctors order him to get some rest and relaxation if he does not he will have a stroke one he may not survive.

later that year whittle returns to work, with a renewed energy the rolls Royce mk3 turbo jet is given full approval by whittle and placed into the first Mk4.

1939

the first batch of Mk4,s go into squadron service. the first Mk4 is flown my air chief marshal dowding when he lands at RAF Hawkinge he is heard talking to the base commander " now that is an aircraft, the perfect balance of speed and power".

 

[Rubicon]

Your timeline is going to get chewed up badly by well almost everyone, with the exception of Britwankers.

I'm just going to point out:
Capital letters in the beginning of a new sentance, try it.
Two, five months from nothing to a flying prototype? No, try five years.

 

[Will Kürlich Kerl]

Welcome to AH.com!

 

[gloster meteor mk3]

ok i under stand that but from the prototype to the first aircraft has been rushed for good reason.britain feels there is going to be war in Europe some time in the next couple of years and want an edge over any one,plus radar is not operational until late 37 early 38 Britain wants a dedicated air defense in place.

 

[Landshark]

Two, five months from nothing to a flying prototype? No, try five years.

Five months is too short but five years is too long as well.

The real Gloster E.28/39 was flying within a couple of years of the spec being laid out, aircraft being simpler back then development went faster.

 

[sharlin]

This would probably spark a reaction in germany but then again the unreliability of the engines of the time and their fearsome fuel consumption would limit their range and thus usefulness. These early jets would be more like a MiG-21, a short range interceptor.

 

[Garrison]

ok i under stand that but from the prototype to the first aircraft has been rushed for good reason.britain feels there is going to be war in Europe some time in the next couple of years and want an edge over any one,plus radar is not operational until late 37 early 38 Britain wants a dedicated air defense in place.

Except the British public is heavily leaning towards arms reduction and pacifism through most of the 30's and few perceives any real threat of war for several years after Hitler rises to power. You are well into the latter half of the decade before there's any real public support for rearming.

A better bet might be that Whittle finds himself some private support to carry the work forward during the 30's.

 

[Garrison]

This would probably spark a reaction in germany but then again the unreliability of the engines of the time and their fearsome fuel consumption would limit their range and thus usefulness. These early jets would be more like a MiG-21, a short range interceptor.

Which would suit the British but not the Germans; plus they may encounter the material shortages that impaired the reliability of German jet engines.

Earlier jets is possible but you either need a POD that stirs Britain into a belligerent mood in the early 30's(very tough ask) or Whittle gets private backing from somewhere.

 

[gloster meteor mk3]

the mk1,s are short on range some 375 miles and used as intercepters the newer mk2-3 have better range because of the engines being better and bigger fuel tanks 1250 miles.

the mk 4 again the engines have gotten better over the years as has the fuel consumption the range goes up to 1700 miles.

by the BoB the british are in alot better position than OTL.

The germans reaction is same as OTL Goering does not believe the jet is the future of air combat until after the BoB when his most experienced pilots are shot down, by then its to late britain would be on the front foot. the jet engines would be out of there reach.

 

[gloster meteor mk3]

1935

Whittle is approached by Rolls-Royce to build his turbo-jets for them as they see the potential of the jet engine as military use.

Whittle gets his turbo jet design patented in august 1935

Rolls-Royce approach three aircraft company's gloster,bristol and vickers about possible aircraft designs for an aircraft powered by a jet engine.

Only gloster comes up with a suitable design for the jet engine. The prototype airframe is completed in record time. The first flyable prototype is started and mated with Whittles mk 2 engine. after the first flyable demonstration Whittle is appointed head of jet engine production by roll-Royce. The security of the project is so great only whittle and the board knows about it. Gloster designs the airframe for the jet aircraft they call the G.40, Rolls-Royce has concerns about weight and stability of the aircraft.

Gloster proves Rolls-Royce wrong during the first flight of the aircraft " sorry old chap we should of never doubted you" one of the board members remarks to a member of glosters board of directors.

 

[tallthinkev]

This would need some major re thinking by the Air Ministry. The Gloster Gladiator went in to service, OTL, in 1937 after it's first flight in 1934. The AM did not want a monoplane in 33/34, they turned down the Supermarine Type 224. So unless there is a compleat turn around by the RAF and the AM. This TL will not get off the ground.
But it sounds like fun if you can get a good POD.

 

[Some Bloke]

The premise seems to be similar to the sadly defunct For Want of a Competent Air Ministry.

 

[Garrison]

This would need some major re thinking by the Air Ministry. The Gloster Gladiator went in to service, OTL, in 1937 after it's first flight in 1934. The AM did not want a monoplane in 33/34, they turned down the Supermarine Type 224. So unless there is a compleat turn around by the RAF and the AM. This TL will not get off the ground.
But it sounds like fun if you can get a good POD.

That's the key; a good pod that maybe places someone with some foresight at the Air Ministry; though given the OTL events that would probably be ASB. I would also suggest that there has to be plausible response from the Germans; not necessarily an effective one given that the RLM and Luftwaffe High Command were more interested in fighting one another than the enemy but a credible one.

 

[Astrodragon]

Five months from demonstrating a prorotype to flying one is WAY too short, especially in peacetime.

Try two years.

You also need a way to get around the idea of British designers that the swept wing was a bad idea.

 

[Riain]

I don't think swept wings are as important to these really early jets as other things such as the long engine nacelles that the later Mk3 Meteors had fitted. Also in the timeframe the monoplane fighter was just being developed and that alone promised massive performance increases without the need for jet engines.

Britain could have had jets in the air earlier than OTL, but that could be done by cutting Rover out of the development loop during the war rather than leaping into a futuristic new engine as well as new monoplane design before the war.

 

[Nick P]

I'd go for something along these lines regarding dates...

1933
Jet Engine first demonstrated. Funding supplied by Air Ministry/MAP to create a better version.

1935
Newer jet engines demonstrated to Air Ministry/MAP/RAF. Rolls Royce asked to take over project with extra funding. Contract issued for testing aircraft.

1936
After nearly 16 months design and building work Gloster produce the first of 3 airframes. Ground testing starts amid doubts from Govt and Ministers as to the costs and benefits.

1937
First jet flight happens in early 1937. Heinkel and Messerschmitt are interested for their own purposes and persuade the Nazi Party to support them with funding, research labs and spy missions. RR develop better engines that run for longer and have better fuel economy. Other firms have started to develop their own jet engines.

Late 1937
As the stormclouds of war gather (Cliché!) the RAF take a good look at the new jet that is capable of just 350 mph making it slower than a Hurricane and with a rate of climb slower than a Gloster Gladiator biplane. It is rejected as a fighter. However permission and funding is given for a twin engine design of aircraft and expanding the engine development labs.

1938
Gloster offer up a new airframe (Gloster E1/44) that is more aerodynamic and offers more room for armament. Early runs are not wonderful but there is room and time for modification.
De Havilland start work on a jet aircraft design as a private company project, using engines from other firms.

Summer 1939
The much improved Gloster Ace is taken into RAF service with 4 wing mounted cannon. Two early examples are sent to the Royal Aircraft Establishment for testing while a full squadron is formed at RAF Kenley.
New jet aircraft from De Havilland, Supermarine and Miles are test flown, but the Air Ministry orders concentration be placed on building the Spitfire and Hurricane fighters as these are trusted more.

These are just my thoughts for a slightly more realistic timeline. Needs fleshing out more and dates/details correcting.

 

[redcoatT]

This would need some major re thinking by the Air Ministry. The Gloster Gladiator went in to service, OTL, in 1937 after it's first flight in 1934. The AM did not want a monoplane in 33/34, they turned down the Supermarine Type 224. .

They turned down the Type 224 because it was a poor aircraft, not because it was a monoplane.

 

[Garrison]

I'd go for something along these lines regarding dates...

1933
Jet Engine first demonstrated. Funding supplied by Air Ministry/MAP to create a better version.

1935
Newer jet engines demonstrated to Air Ministry/MAP/RAF. Rolls Royce asked to take over project with extra funding. Contract issued for testing aircraft.

1936
After nearly 16 months design and building work Gloster produce the first of 3 airframes. Ground testing starts amid doubts from Govt and Ministers as to the costs and benefits.

1937
First jet flight happens in early 1937. Heinkel and Messerschmitt are interested for their own purposes and persuade the Nazi Party to support them with funding, research labs and spy missions. RR develop better engines that run for longer and have better fuel economy. Other firms have started to develop their own jet engines.

Late 1937
As the stormclouds of war gather (Cliché!) the RAF take a good look at the new jet that is capable of just 350 mph making it slower than a Hurricane and with a rate of climb slower than a Gloster Gladiator biplane. It is rejected as a fighter. However permission and funding is given for a twin engine design of aircraft and expanding the engine development labs.

1938
Gloster offer up a new airframe (Gloster E1/44) that is more aerodynamic and offers more room for armament. Early runs are not wonderful but there is room and time for modification.
De Havilland start work on a jet aircraft design as a private company project, using engines from other firms.

Summer 1939
The much improved Gloster Ace is taken into RAF service with 4 wing mounted cannon. Two early examples are sent to the Royal Aircraft Establishment for testing while a full squadron is formed at RAF Kenley.
New jet aircraft from De Havilland, Supermarine and Miles are test flown, but the Air Ministry orders concentration be placed on building the Spitfire and Hurricane fighters as these are trusted more.

These are just my thoughts for a slightly more realistic timeline. Needs fleshing out more and dates/details correcting.

Maybe also:

Late 1938

In the aftermath of the Munich agreement and with Germany facing economic difficulties RLM cuts funding for jet programs; insisting that the manufacturers focus on 'projects of more immediate use'. Several research teams are disbanded and in competition for limited resources the surviving teams work in strict secrecy resulting in much work being duplicated and wasted(essentially exactly the sort of thing that frequently happened with projects in Nazi Germany).

 

[PMN1]

Earlier nuclear bomb, earlier fully operational jets...i'm guessing the next one is an earlier Chieftain tank....ready for 1940......or possibly pushing it a bit, an earlier Bird of Prey.

 

[Rubicon]

Earlier nuclear bomb, earlier fully operational jets...i'm guessing the next one is an earlier Chieftain tank....ready for 1940......or possibly pushing it a bit, an earlier Bird of Prey.

Bird of prey, bah I'd say a Star Destroyer, all imperials speak with an English accent after all.

People you're forgetting this would be bleeding edge technology here, there has been no prior research to lean on, so it's going to be trial and error, lots of it. And it's going to be expensive, very expensive.

I said five years to get a prototype, and I don't think I'm that wrong there, when a known britwanker as Astrodragon says two. It took the Germans three years to get the He 178 (incidently using a radial-flow turbojet the same as Whittle) from conception to first flight and that plane was worthless for combat, why would the British do it in less time, and earlier?

And then we come to the same thing that britwankers and americawankers hit the germanwankers constantly over the head with: What gets cut from the military budget to pay for this, which will be damned expensive just the research, not to talk about production.