This is a typically British way of doing things. To create their own flying saucers, the Americans would have built a multi-trillion dollar building somewhere in the desert of Nevada, with signs warning the public to "Keep Out" and guarded by armed patrols.
In Britain, our scientists just make a cup of tea and create flying saucers in their garden sheds, and managing to create something that even the Yanks haven't managed.
A BRITISH scientist has built a fully-working flying saucer — in his SHED.
Geoff Hatton has spent five years perfecting the craft, believed to be the first of its kind in the world.
And he has now had talks with American defence chiefs over possible uses in military reconnaissance. A delegation spent two days at his tiny shed-like workshop to assess its potential.
The ultra-manoeuvrable craft, which can hover and turn in tight corners, could also be used in the examination of bridges and minefields.
Geoff, 67, created the saucer using a scientific principle that creates lift when a blast of air is blown over a thin surface.
It means the electric-powered unmanned craft creates very little wind turbulence, is aerodynamically stable and has no external rotor blades.
Geoff said: “I believe in keeping things simple and this uses simple principles. The Americans hadn’t seen anything like it and were extremely impressed and excited.
“As far as we know this is the only flying saucer of its kind in the world and there could be any number of uses.”
Geoff’s firm GFS Projects is perfecting the flying saucer at the lock-up workshop in STAR Road, Peterborough, Cambs.
His project has been given a £250,000 Government grant — and his team have close ties with Cambridge University.
It is hoped a commercially viable unmanned model will be ready for trials later this year.
Geoff is hoping to have a manned version flying by 2008 — if he can attract more private money.
The scientist used the Coanda effect named after Romanian engineer Henry-Marie Coanda.
He found in 1930 that a stream of air blown over a curved surface will “stick” to it — making the air pressure under the object lighter. This is what gives the saucer its lift.
www.thesun.co.uk . . .
In Britain, our scientists just make a cup of tea and create flying saucers in their garden sheds, and managing to create something that even the Yanks haven't managed.
A BRITISH scientist has built a fully-working flying saucer — in his SHED.
Geoff Hatton has spent five years perfecting the craft, believed to be the first of its kind in the world.
And he has now had talks with American defence chiefs over possible uses in military reconnaissance. A delegation spent two days at his tiny shed-like workshop to assess its potential.
The ultra-manoeuvrable craft, which can hover and turn in tight corners, could also be used in the examination of bridges and minefields.
Geoff, 67, created the saucer using a scientific principle that creates lift when a blast of air is blown over a thin surface.
It means the electric-powered unmanned craft creates very little wind turbulence, is aerodynamically stable and has no external rotor blades.
Geoff said: “I believe in keeping things simple and this uses simple principles. The Americans hadn’t seen anything like it and were extremely impressed and excited.
“As far as we know this is the only flying saucer of its kind in the world and there could be any number of uses.”
Geoff’s firm GFS Projects is perfecting the flying saucer at the lock-up workshop in STAR Road, Peterborough, Cambs.
His project has been given a £250,000 Government grant — and his team have close ties with Cambridge University.
It is hoped a commercially viable unmanned model will be ready for trials later this year.
Geoff is hoping to have a manned version flying by 2008 — if he can attract more private money.
The scientist used the Coanda effect named after Romanian engineer Henry-Marie Coanda.
He found in 1930 that a stream of air blown over a curved surface will “stick” to it — making the air pressure under the object lighter. This is what gives the saucer its lift.
www.thesun.co.uk . . .
