Dear Aviation & History Enthusiasts,
My father – Flight Captain Erich Warsitz – is remembered as the first person to fly an aircraft under turbojet power, the Heinkel He 178, on August 27, 1939 and also the first to fly an aircraft under liquid-fueled rocket power, the Heinkel He 176, on June 20 the same year, setting two milestones in aviation history.
Late in 1936 he was seconded by the RLM (Reich Air Ministry) to Wernher von Braun and Ernst Heinkel, because he had been recognized as one of the most experienced test-pilots of the time, and because he also had an extraordinary fund of technical knowledge. Little is known of this pioneer period because of the strict secrecy which shrouded the whole project!
You will find a lot of information about Erich Warsitz and his achievements under http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erich_Warsitz . There is also a video of the He 178 with audio commentary by my father, inclusive written translation in English, under http://www.youtube.com/user/TheFirstJetPilot#p/u/3/nneZgRkpskU .
It’s a little unfortunate that the He 178 quite often doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. After all, every other turbine propelled aircraft that has graced or is now gracing our skies has, at best, come second place to it.
Fly save,
Lutz Warsitz
By: Sopwith - 24th November 2009 at 22:45
Re book
Hi Warsitz remembered where I saw book review.Have sent you an e-mail.
By: warsitz - 24th November 2009 at 21:38
Many thanks – looking forward to hearing from you!
Meanwhile best wishes,
Lutz
By: Sopwith - 24th November 2009 at 21:12
HI warsitz,
I read a review on the book the other day and I can`t remember where I saw it but I know at the time I read it I thought it sounded an interesting book that I`ll have to get.I will let you know where I saw it when I find it again.
By: warsitz - 23rd November 2009 at 10:56
Dear all,
many thanks for your nice welcome!
No, the recording of the you tube video has been recorded back in 1979 by Harald Hein.
Yes, a book about my father has been published, first I’ve published it in German in 2006 in occasion of his centenary of his birth and now in English. Were have you read about it?
Best wishes,
Lutz
By: Sopwith - 19th November 2009 at 22:50
Did I read somewhere recently that a book has just been published about your fathers career?
By: Seafuryfan - 18th November 2009 at 22:58
How remarkable it is to have a son of the worlds first jet & rocket pilot on this forum – welcome!
I’ve also felt that the He178 is little publicised. It’s not ‘Allied’ and it didn’t fly in military markings (AFAIK), perhaps reasons in part? It’s also quite an ungainly looking machine.
But what bravery, as with all test pilots, he had to get up there and on with it. Very interesting to hear your Father’s commentary warsitz, did you record it yourself?
By: Sky High - 18th November 2009 at 14:24
See below about Whittle (admittedly from Wiki!!)
Without Air Ministry support, he and two retired RAF servicemen formed Power Jets Ltd to build his engine with assistance from the firm of British Thomson-Houston. Despite limited funding, a prototype was created which first ran in 1937. Official interest was forthcoming following this success with contracts being placed to develop further engines, but the continuing stress seriously affected Whittle’s health, eventually resulting in a nervous breakdown in 1940. In 1944 when Power Jets was nationalised he again suffered a nervous breakdown, and resigned from the board in 1946.[3]
Does this indicate that WITH Air Ministry/Govt support we (the UK) might have had a jet fighter fairly early on in WW2? I am not trying to go over who did what, first, and/or when. I am simply trying to indicate that this might well have been an example of Whitehall Mandarins (forget the Politicians!) educated in Greats (Latin, Greek, Ancient History) not having a clue about Science and its application to the warfare that even they must have seen coming in 1937!
Please discuss in less than 100 Postings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Resmoroh
I am sure you are right and I have read that thesis elsewhere. Our key creative people have often been ill-served by their paymasters, who, probably because of the background you ascribe to them, lacked technical vision. Very sad, but, as you say it does not detract from the achievements of those who “were the first”.
By: Resmoroh - 18th November 2009 at 14:05
See below about Whittle (admittedly from Wiki!!)
Without Air Ministry support, he and two retired RAF servicemen formed Power Jets Ltd to build his engine with assistance from the firm of British Thomson-Houston. Despite limited funding, a prototype was created which first ran in 1937. Official interest was forthcoming following this success with contracts being placed to develop further engines, but the continuing stress seriously affected Whittle’s health, eventually resulting in a nervous breakdown in 1940. In 1944 when Power Jets was nationalised he again suffered a nervous breakdown, and resigned from the board in 1946.[3]
Does this indicate that WITH Air Ministry/Govt support we (the UK) might have had a jet fighter fairly early on in WW2? I am not trying to go over who did what, first, and/or when. I am simply trying to indicate that this might well have been an example of Whitehall Mandarins (forget the Politicians!) educated in Greats (Latin, Greek, Ancient History) not having a clue about Science and its application to the warfare that even they must have seen coming in 1937!
Please discuss in less than 100 Postings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Resmoroh
By: Sky High - 18th November 2009 at 13:29
How very interesting. I knew none of this although I’m sure other forum members do. Quite apart from his aviation achievements he clearly was a great survivor having come through the horrors of Soviet labour camps to end his life running his own business. You certtainly have a reputation to live up to!!:)
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November 18, 2009 at 1:09 pm