Sir Frank Whittle

Sir Frank Whittle, the inventor of the jet engine, developed some of his first engines at the British Thomson-Houston works in Lutterworth and in nearby Rugby in the 1930s and 40s.  The engine for the Gloster E.28/39 was produced in Lutterworth and a replica of the plane stands on the roundabout to the south of the town.
Lutterworth Museum on Gilmorton Road houses a large collection of Whittle memorabilia.

Plaque adjacent to the roundabout

Replica Gloster E.28/39

A bust of Sir Frank was placed in the Memorial Gardens in 1987 and a plaque acknowledging his achievements was attached to Lutterworth Town Hall.
The plaque has recently been moved to the Memorial Gardens and the bust has been moved back slightly to bring the two items together and allow development of the 'Whittle Corner".

"This plaque commemorates the 50th anniversary of the test run of the first gas turbine engine on 12th April 1937 at the British Thomson Houston Company in Rugby and the subsequent development at Ladywood Works, Lutterworth by Sir Frank Whittle O.M., K.B.E., C.B., F.R.S., F.Eng., Air Commodore R.A.F. (Retd), Unveiled by Dr. G.B.R. Feilden C.B.E. 15th June 1987"

Whittle bust

"Whittle Corner"