The article below was published in the daily newspaper Le Républicain Lorrain, Metz, France, pages 1 and 8, on September 25, 1954.
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LONDON. -- Interesting details about the "flying cage-bed," an experimental craft capable of vertical takeoff and presented this week at Farnborough, have been provided by the ministry of weapons; which also authorized the publication of a photograph of the craft.
The craft is actually composed of two Rolls Royce "Nene" jet engines mounted horizontally end-to-end but facing in opposite directions, on a frame made simply of steel tubes. The nozzles of the jet engines are bent downward at a right angle, so the thrust is directed vertically toward the ground. According to the Ministry of Weapon's statement, this configuration helps maintain balance and eliminates gyroscopic effects.
The pilot sits on a seat mounted on top of the engines. He controls the balance of the craft using a joystick and a standard rudder pedal, which operate compressed air jets expelled through two horizontally installed tubes above the jet engines.
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The pilot can vary the intensity of the jets at will to steer the craft. The compressed air comes from the jet engines.
The "flying cage-bed" has no outer covering. The engines are exposed and the pilot does not even have a cockpit; he is simply perched in the open air on top of the engines. The craft rests on the ground with four legs fitted with small wheels.
The official statement notes that testing is still in the preliminary stages and research is ongoing.
Problems related to the heat and noise produced by the engines remain to be solved, as well as determining the most suitable engines and frame for this type of craft.
Nonetheless, some progress has already been made. During the first tests, the machine was tethered to the ground so that it could move only a few feet in any direction. Gradually, the tethers were removed, and on August 3rd, the machine flew for the first time without any restraints. Piloted by Captain Shepperd, it remained airborne for nearly ten minutes, moving at altitudes of 2 to 3 meters before finally returning to its starting point. Later, it reached altitudes of up to eight meters.
According to the "Daily Mail", Rolls-Royce is building the second model of the "flying cage-bed." The front page of all the British newspapers features a photo of this craft, which could certainly be mistaken for a flying saucer, or even the craft used by Martians to invade our planet.
Le Puy. -- Dr. Mercier, from Le Puy, reported having observed twice, above Le Puy, a silent, round, shiny object moving from south to north at a very high altitude.
This craft was also reportedly seen by several farmers in the area surrounding Le Puy.
