Double aviation 'first' anniversary today

[Dr H]

82 years ago today - first Spitfire flight

75 years ago today - first Gloucester Meteor flight

Mad that there were only 7 years between these 2. Amazing what going to war does for technological development!

[KurtB]

Gloster Meteor, Leigh, I’m sorry to be a pedant...

The Meteor was Britain's first gas turbine powered fighter, but the accolade to the first UK jet aeroplane goes to the Gloster E28/39. That took off from Cranwell (Lincolnshire) on 15 May 1941. It's amazing how small our planet has become since it's inception. It's more amazing what has happened technologically in the time of one mans lifetime. From string and wire to fly by wire, from 40mph to over 4,500mph (in 1967!!!!!!!), taking passengers at over 1,300mph, and now offering flights in all sorts from Spitfires to spacecraft. Aviation is amazing, but I might say that ;-)