In 1939 the British Air Ministry issued a specification, E.28/39, for an adequate aircraft that could serve as testbed for the new jet propulsion systems that Frank Whittle was developing during the 1930s. Both Gloster and George Carter (Gloster's chief designer) collaborated with Whittle to design a conventional aircraft fitted around the Power Jets W.1 engine rated at 1.760 lbf (7.8 kN) of thrust. Though unarmed, it had provision for four Browning 0.303 in machine guns placed in the wings.
The first prototype flew for the first time on 15th May 1941 and was followed by two additional prototypes to be employed in flight test programme. After some successful initial tests, the prototypes were kept flying to refine the jet engines and new aerodynamic features. In spite of the lost of the second prototype (which was caused by improper maintenance that lead to an aileron failure), the E.28/39 was considered a success.
The E.28/39 gave initial vital experience with the jet engine and eventually led to the development of the Gloster Meteor. The first prototype was kept in active until 1944, when it was withdrawn from service. In 1946 it was transferred to the Science Museum in London, where it has been in static display ever since.
Sources:
1st https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloster_E.28/39
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