HC Deb 28 November 1951 vol 494 cc1491-2
15. Dr. Reginald Bennett

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has any information as to what proportion of the Russia fighters now in action in Korea are propelled by axial-flow jet engines.

Mr. Birch

Air fighting has taken place mainly over enemy-occupied territory in Korea. As a result, United Nations Forces have had few opportunities of examining crashed enemy jet aircraft. No aircraft examined has been propelled by an axial-flow engine.

Dr. Bennett

Is it not a fact that although it has been thought for some time that the motive power of the Russian fighters derived from the Jumo Junkers axial-flow jet engines, it is now determined that the main bulk of their fighter forces are powered by engines of British origin and derivation?

Mr. Birch

As I said in my answer last week, all the engines examined have been centrifugal flowing, and of the Nene type.