The sculpture was installed on Friday 21st October 2005 to the memory of Frank Whittle, inventor of the jet engine, who designed many of the initial prototypes at the British Thompson-Houston works in Rugby.
The Warwickshire Council have details about Frank Whittle and the sculpture here which we quote with thanks to them:visit link
'The sculpture unveiled today is a memorial to Sir Frank Whittle, one of Warwickshire’s most talented individuals, and renowned as one of the world’s greatest aero-engineers. It is only fitting that Frank’s genius and determination are remembered here in Rugby, the town where he built and tested the world’s first jet engine.
Sir Frank Whittle, 1907 – 1996
Sir Frank Whittle was born in Earlsdon, Coventry, and as the son of a skilful and inventive mechanic, he showed at an early age an interest in aeroplanes and engineering. Even as a child, Whittle spent hours reading about astronomy, physiology and engineering. He left Leamington College and after several set-backs joined the RAF in 1923, qualifying as a pilot in 1928. While still a cadet he wrote a thesis arguing that planes would need to fly at high altitudes where air resistance is much lower, in order to achieve long ranges and
high speeds. With piston engines and propellers unsuitable for this purpose, he concluded that rocket propulsion or gas turbines driving propellers would be required. Whittle considered using a fan enclosed in the fuselage to generate a fast flow of air to propel a plane at high altitude, and as a piston engine would use too much fuel he thought of using a gas turbine to drive the fan. After the Air
Ministry turned him down he patented his idea himself, granted in 1932.
By 1935 Whittle had secured finances and with approval from the RAF, Power Jets Ltd was formed. Work began on constructing a test engine in July 1936. When the first tests were run in Rugby the following April, the engine was run many times, but ran out of control. The fault was found, rectified and then the engine ran successfully. The date of the first run was 12th April 1937. The tests however proved inconclusive; the compressor was operating well below its design efficiency and the engine was rapidly falling apart. The engine
was rebuilt and started running again in Lutterworth. By April 1941 the flight engine was ready for tests, and the first flight was made on 15th May 1941 in a Gloster E.28/39 Pioneer.
Details of Whittle’s invention were made available both in Britain and America, where the technology was enthusiastically embraced. Rolls-Royce, de Havilland and Metropolitan Vickers all became quickly involved and set about building variations of his jet engine.
Following the end of the Second World War, Whittle retired from the RAF with the rank of Air Commodore and was knighted in 1948. In 1976 he went to work in the USA as a research professor at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. He was awarded the Order of Merit in 1986.
Throughout his life, Sir Frank Whittle saw his dream of jet-powered aircraft become reality. He overcame widespread scepticism and a lack of financial backing to ensure his invention succeeded. The sculpture unveiled today ensures his legacy remains. For further information on Sir Frank Whittle, Warwickshire County Council have a booklet ‘Whittle, Genius of the Jet’ describing Sir Frank’s work and achievements in closer detail. Please contact the Tourism Section for more details on 01926 412210 or email tourism@warwickshire.gov.uk.
Mr Stephen Broadbent
Sculptor Stephen Broadbent was chosen to design and build the new memorial to Sir Frank Whittle after winning a competition organised by Rugby Borough Council and Warwickshire County Council, where the public were asked to vote for their favourite design at exhibitions held in the town.
Stephen Broadbent’s design was a clear favourite with members of the public and local Councillors. Standing at almost 5 metres tall and cast in bronze at the Castle Fine Art Foundry, the sculpture rises into the sky and depicts the motion of a wind turbine within the jet engine. It is further embossed with scenes from Sir Frank Whittle’s life.
His idea behind the Sir Frank Whittle sculpture is inspired by a Rod Lovesey painting, which depicts Frank standing at the test bed of his first engine with its exhaust pipe projecting through a window. The open window is symbolic of ‘Whittle the Visionary’ who could clearly see the potential of jet power.
Stephen Broadbent said of his success, ‘I am thrilled to have been chosen by the people of Rugby to create my vision to commemorate Sir Frank Whittle. I hope it will inspire enquiry, exploration, confidence and dynamism and will be enjoyed by all.’
Both councils are grateful for donations from the public and the support of Alstom, Rolls Royce, Rugby Cement and private donors in commissioning this memorial.'