Fly-past to mark Sir Frank Whittle's jet engine flight Published duration 15 May 2011

A celebration to mark the 70th anniversary of the UK's first jet engine flight has taken place at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire.

On 15 May 1941, the Gloster E28/39 aircraft powered by Sir Frank Whittle's pioneering engine took off for a flight that lasted almost 17 minutes.

In commemoration, a replica of the aircraft was transported to the RAF base.

It performed a fly-past for guests including Sir Frank's son.

The full-size fibreglass model of the Gloster, owned by The Jet Age Museum in Gloucester, was transported to RAF Cranwell on Thursday.

Following the fly-past on Sunday, the E28 returned to Gloucestershire Airport, Staverton, where the museum has planning permission for a permanent home for its collection.

Sir Frank began his RAF career as an apprentice and later trained as an officer at Cranwell.