1/48 Special Hobby - Gloster E.28/39 Pioneer (Squirt) "First British Jet"

1/48 Special Hobby - Gloster E.28/39 Pioneer (Squirt) "First British Jet"The Gloster E. 28 39 Pioneer, also known as the Squirt, was the first British jet aircraft and the third worldwide to achieve powered flight. It emerged from Frank Whittles pioneering work on the Power Jets W. 1 engine, which began development in the late 1930s. Collaborating with Glosters chief designer George Carter and backed by the Ministry of Aviations E. 28 39 specification, two prototypes were built to validate jet propulsion in an aircraft.

The Gloster E.28/39 Pioneer, also known as the Squirt, was the first British jet aircraft and the third worldwide to achieve powered flight. It emerged from Frank Whittle’s pioneering work on the Power Jets W.1 engine, which began development in the late 1930s. Collaborating with Gloster’s chief designer George Carter and backed by the Ministry of Aviation’s E.28/39 specification, two prototypes were built to validate jet propulsion in an aircraft. The all-metal design featured a unique nose intake duct, short landing gear due to the absence of a propeller, and fabric-covered control surfaces, but lacked armament, pressurization, heating, and radio equipment. The first flight occurred on 7 April 1941, with official testing continuing through 1944 while engine improvements were ongoing. In 1944, the aircraft was upgraded with a more powerful W.2B engine and revised tail stabilizers, flying until 1945 before being preserved at London’s Science Museum.

This highly detailed 1/48 scale model kit of the Gloster E.28/39 Pioneer features two grey styrene sprues that form the aircraft's main structure, complemented by a clear sprue for the canopy to ensure an accurate and realistic cockpit representation. The kit also includes a fret of etched metal parts, adding fine detail and precision to areas such as cockpit instrumentation and external components. A comprehensive decal sheet provides markings for both prototype aircraft, allowing for accurate replication of their distinctive liveries. Designed for experienced modelers, this kit faithfully captures the pioneering jet’s unique design and historical significance.