The
jet engine created a revolution in aircraft design. Today’s air travel
industry, with giant jumbo jets crossing the oceans in half a day or less,
would have been impossible without the power and speed made possible by
the jet engine. The jet engine was developed in secrecy before and during
WWII. Several countries had workable jet engines under development, but
only Germany and Britain had functional jet fighters in service before the
war ended.
Following
the success of the British Meteor twin jet, the RAF accepted the de
Havilland Vampire, a small day fighter designed around the company’s own
jet engine and four 20mm cannon. To assist engine efficiency and to avoid
a long tailpipe, the Vampire was built with no rear fuselage; instead, the
rudder and elevators were carried on twin booms extended from the back of
the wings. It was an effective concept, and the de Havilland company were
to retain it for their later Venom and Vixen fighters.
