A CROWD of 90,000 saw Bill Kitchen (right), noted British motorcycle racer, smoke up Wembley speedway in London recently (above) on the world's first rocket-assisted motorcycle.

Prof. A. M. Low, rocket pioneer, and Alex Jackson, manager of the Wembley track, developed the rocket-boosted bike. The additional power is supplied by four rockets fixed over the rear wheel, two to the side. Kitchen was protected from the blast by a steel shield. Switches on the handlebars controlled the rockets. The race rider said the "acceleration was absolutely terrific" when the rockets let go.

Dr. Low (right) and Jackson look over their rocket bike. Low plans an all-rocket-drive cycle this year.

Feb 1947

Courtesy Sergio Scalerandi