On Wed, 10 Mar 2004 11:36:44 GMT, "Stinky Pete"
wrote:

No. Stolen. They bought a very small number from the Brits. They then copied
the design illegally, i.e. stolen.

You don't know what you're talking about. "They" didn't buy any
engines from the Brits. The U.S. was given one Whittle Unit that
wasn't airworthy, which GE modified into a working engine.

This engine powered the Bell Airacomet, but had no further
application. Postwar, a $4 million payment was negotiated with the
British government in settlement. The British govt awarded Whittle
100,000 quid and a knighthood, but he was sufficiently annoyed by the
whole thing that he relocated to the United States, where he was
better appreciated (and paid).

www.warbirdforum.com/whittle.htm

all the best -- Dan Ford
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