Page 68 - The Jet Engine

Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4

Late in 1943 the decision was taken at Rolls-
Royce to build a turbo-prop for aircraft speeds
of around 400 mph. The resulting engine,
known as the RB50 Trent, was basically a
Derwent II with a flexible quillshaft to
reduction gear and propeller. On 20
September 1945 a Gloster Meteor, fitted with
Rolls-Royce RB50 Trent two Trents, became the world's first turbo-
prop powered aircraft to fly.