Colonel James Smith fired up the modified Northrop N9 with the HES 011 jet engines.

Originally the almost completed German engines had been part of an experimental Luftwaffe unit.

British forces had captured them at the Heinkel Aircraft Works then handed them over to the Allied High Command.

They were later completed by their German designers brought to the U.S.A. under Operation Paperclip.

Now the Allies were testing them out at Dryden Air Base for analysis and evaluation.

Col. Smith felt the aircraft shudder as the power of the HES 011s reached running speed.

He eased the throttle forward and the jet began to move.

He could just see his friend, Dr. Clark of N.A.C.A. observing him from the tower.

Dr. Clark watched the jet roll down the runway and alight into the air.

He had tried to get these engines bench tested prior to flight, but High Command insisted on immediate evaluation as fighting in the Pacific still continued.

It was Dr. Clark who had thought to combine the HES 011s to the Northtop N9 airframe.

"All is well?" he asked into the microphone.

"Roger that!" replied Col.

Smith as he felt the structure vibrating with the power of the motors.

Quite impressive!

The German engines were smaller than the comparative Allied ones and followed an axial-flow rather than centrifuge.

They were much more powerful too.

He observed the ground falling away  from him as he headed in toward the Mojave river near Los Angeles at just over 15,000 yards.

Smith took the jet up to 75,000 feet and did a few manuvers. 

The engines responded quickly for acceleration and seemed to perform better at higher altitude.

He took the plane down a bit to test deceleration with
impressive results.

After a few spirals and rolls he brought the N9 into a level flight.
Next he accelerated and decelerated in a straight line.

"Looking good!" broadcast Dr. Clark over the radio. "Why don't you bring
her in now? Our mechanic is getting nervous."

"Wilco!" replied Col. Smith as he completed his circle then aimed the jet toward the runway.

He lowered the landing gear and set the airbrakes for a
very neat touchdown and perfect three-point landing.

After he steered the aircraft into the parking slot he climbed down the ladder set beside it to greet the little party gathered a few meters away.

"How was it?" asked Dr. Clark as he held the ladder steady.

"Surprisingly powerful for their size!" replied Col. Smith as he stepped onto the ground.

"I am anxious to try them again soon!"

Zane