Jul 2015 Speaker Meeting - Britains Supersonic Project + Food Bank
Mon, Jul 6th 2015 at 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm
Weekly meeting with meal and speaker - Rod Kirkby - Britains Supersonic Project.
Speaker Host - Ian C, General Host - Tim L, Cashier - Derek B
Tonight we met as usual for a chat and a 2 course meal with coffee/tea followed by a very interesting speaker.
Rod Kirkby, retired Aerodynamics Research Engineer and Aviation Artist, told us all about Britain's Wartime Supersonic Research. In 1943 a specification was issued calling for a research aircraft with 1000mph top speed powered by an extremely advanced Whittle turbojet engine - a tricky challenge. Rod made the technical parts of his tale very easy to grasp. How to overcome the drag that peaks around the speed of sound ? The Miles M-52 was designed and way ahead of its time !
This contraversial project evolved in response to the German research aiming at a 100Km/hr plane - something like twice the speed of contemporary planes such as the Spitfire. However months away from the completion of the design the plug was pulled to the mystification of all concerned. The USA were the ones to gain credit in the end for the first supersonic flight.
Food Bank Collection Today - give your donations to David Adamson. - Thanks to all who gave.
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Administration Committee
back The Admin committee aims to ensure it is efficient in supporting the club, in organising the weekly meetings with speakers, improving links between committees, promoting use of website, developing the succession plan.