This is a fine, deeply researched book, with Frank Whittle’s story beginning with a lad of humble origin who, aged just 16, entered the RAF as an apprentice fitter, already with strong views about the viability of gas-turbine aero engines firmly entrenched in his scientific and profoundly mathematical mind.
Once commissioned and a highly respected pilot, his ideas were generally supported by his military superiors, but ignored by the established aero-engine manufacturers (with their vested interests) and rejected virtually out of hand by the mandarins at the Air Ministry from late 1929 onwards.
Whittle’s brilliance and potential were recognised by his commanding officers and he was awarded a placement at Cambridge University, where he became involved in the University Air Squadron. It was only near the end of his time in academia that his thoughts turned again to his gas-turbine engine.
