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On this occasion, Intelligence Officers from the RCAF and RAF, accompanied by John Frost, met with an unnamed German engi- neer who claimed to have worked ona secret flying disc project near Prague, between 1944 and 1945. Another interesting document regarding the German connection comes from W E Lexow, Chief of the CIA’s Applied Science Division and Scientific Intelligence, and is dated 19th October 1955. In this, Lexow says, ‘Project Y is being directed by John Frost. Mr Frost is reported to have obtained his original idea for the flying machine from a group of Germans just after World War Two. The Sovi- ets may also have obtained information from this German group’. Author Bill Zuk mentioned another intrigu- ing event in his book on the history of the Avrocar. He briefly refers to a meeting that took place on 29th January 1958 between members of the SPG and the highly respected German designer Dr Alexander Lippisch, who worked on many advanced wartime avi- ation projects. There are also indications that the extraordinary engine chosen for Project Y was based on developments carried out in wartime Germany. Project Y’s propulsion was highly unusual, taking the form of a Radial Flow Gas Turbine (RFGT) which promised to deliver a signifi- cantly higher power output than any conven- tional jet engine of that era. Despite exhaustive enquiries, the exact origins of this engine and proposed a contra-rotating turbo- the aircraft, the RFGT provides gyroscopic design remain unclear and while there have _ fan, some decades before it became a practi- __ stability and theoretically makes the vehicle a been claims that it was Frost who conceived cal proposition. He favoured the complex very steady weapons platform. Air for the the RFGT, documents sourced from the Pub- axial flow compressor system in preference RFGT engine is drawn in through two for- lic Record Office (PRO) in Kew, London (now __ to Frank Whittle’s simpler centrifugal design _ ward-facing intakes on the upper and lower called the National Archives) hint at other (before either engine had been built) and — surfaces of the fuselage, is compressed, and possibilities. Based on this material and remained atthe forefront of advanced gas tur- _ is then forced into the surrounding combus- research conducted in Germany, it seems _ bine research throughout his career. tion chambers. Exhaust gas then flows possible that the RFGT design originated with While Project Y was under development, _ through the radial turbine (which is driving BMW-Bramo at Berlin-Spandau and that, Griffith became particularly interested in the compressor) to the outlets. when the war ended, this technology fell into | VTOL concepts and is now best remembered Technical information for the first Project Y British hands. as the designer of Rolls-Royce’s experimental | powerplant shows that the rotating assembly Official UK documents indicate that post- Flying Bedstead, which ‘flew’ in 1954. John was reliant on roller bearings, although they war RFGT development took place at the Frost was a friend of Frank Whittle and Alan _ were soon replaced with a more satisfactory NGTE (National Gas Turbine Establishment) — Griffith, and some unconfirmed reports sug- _ air bearing system. On a less positive note, the located at Pyestock, Hampshire, which until gest that Griffith assisted the SPG team in — engine formed an integral part of the Project 1946 had been Frank Whittle’s Power Jets Canada. Y airframe, so a major service or the replace- Company. Conceivably, the research project The RFGT can crudely be described asajet ment of certain components would have was carried out under the direction of Rolls- engine stood on its tail and then flattened out involved considerable labour. Furthermore, Royce’s jet engine pioneer Dr Alan Arnold _ into a disc, working ‘edge on’ to the direction the integration of this engine with the air- Griffith (1893-1963). This brilliant scientist — of flight. Because there is alarge compressor frame would seriously limit scope for future independently developed the gas turbine and turbine that revolve around the centre of _ upgrades and improvements. engine and proposed a contra-rotating turbo- the aircraft, the RFGT provides gyroscopic fan, some decades before it became a practi- _ stability and theoretically makes the vehicle a cal proposition. He favoured the complex very steady weapons platform. Air for the axial flow compressor system in preference RFGT engine is drawn in through two for- to Frank Whittle’s simpler centrifugal design ward-facing intakes on the upper and lower (before either engine had been built) and _ surfaces of the fuselage, is compressed, and remained at the forefront of advanced gas tur- _ is then forced into the surrounding combus- bine research throughout his career. tion chambers. Exhaust gas then flows While Project Y was under development, _ through the radial turbine (which is driving Griffith became particularly interested in the compressor) to the outlets. VTOL concepts and is now best remembered Technical information for the first Project Y as the designer of Rolls-Royce’s experimental | powerplant shows that the rotating assembly Flying Bedstead, which ‘flew’ in 1954. John _ was reliant on roller bearings, although they Frost was a friend of Frank Whittle and Alan were soon replaced with a more satisfactory Griffith, and some unconfirmed reports sug- _ air bearing system. On a less positive note, the gest that Griffith assisted the SPG team in engine formed an integral part of the Project Canada. Y airframe, so a major service or the replace- The RFGT can crudely be described asajet ment of certain components would have engine stood on its tail and then flattened out involved considerable labour. Furthermore, into a disc, working ‘edge on’ to the direction the integration of this engine with the air- of flight. Because there is alarge compressor frame would seriously limit scope for future and turbine that revolve around the centre of _ upgrades and improvements. 59 Right: A later design proposal for Project Y. Avro Canada Below right: Cross-section of the Project Y aircraft showing the RFGT and cockpit area. Avro Canada Canada’s Cold War Saucers