HC Deb 17 June 1931 vol 253 cc1732-3
34. Captain BALFOUR

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if the Air Ministry are experimenting with aero engines on the Diesel principle; if he can state the stage which such experiments have reached; and when a British aircraft will fly equipped with an engine of this type?

Mr. MONTAGUE

For some years the Air Ministry has been developing engines on the Diesel principle both for aeroplanes and for airships; the hon. and gallant Member will no doubt recall that the engines of airship R.101 were of that type. Considerable experience has been gained from experimental forms of these engines, and the stage has now been reached when a complete engine of this type is ready for trial. It will shortly be put through the full type test for air- worthiness and, if this is satisfactorily completed, flight trials will probably be carried out during the summer.