Nottingham students unveil working replica of Rolls-Royce “flying bedstead”

Built and tested by Rolls-Royce in Hucknall, the TMR was the first jet-lift aircraft to fly anywhere in the world, with its inaugural tethered flight taking place in 1953, followed by its first free flight the following year.

Developed to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of this aviation landmark, the working replica will shortly go on display at the Rolls-Royce Heritage Centre and the Hucknall Flight Test Museum, where the original TMR was built and tested 70 years ago.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ENGINEER'S ARCHIVE COVERAGE OF THE ORIGINAL FLYING BEDSTEAD

Associate Professor Mark Jabbal, Aerospace Engineering Programme Director at the University of Nottingham, said: “Currently, there’s only one TMR on static display in the world, at the London Science Museum, so having our students build this working scaled replica means that more people around the country will be able to get a glimpse of this fascinating piece of aviation.

“Not many people are aware that Nottinghamshire is the birthplace of vertical jet lift technology, so this project has not only provided students with practical knowledge, but it’s also given them a greater understanding of our heritage and the part we played in aviation history.”