Naval research capacity could bring a first jet flight into 1933-34

The historical Gloster E.28/39 first flew in May 1941 after years of financially insecure development. Under the proposed Admiralty partnership, Whittle would have access to established laboratories, testing sites and manufacturers from much earlier. Interwar naval research teams had retained more capability than the contracting production supply chain, although they had also suffered cuts. That surviving expertise supports an estimate of about five years to a flying aircraft, putting a first flight around 1933-34. A monoplane demonstrator might come from Supermarine or Vickers, firms whose naval relationships could help keep the Admiralty involved as the aircraft program developed.