Rolls-Royce Derwent Mk 8 – sectioned

1943, Stratosphere Chamber, On long term display

Designed and built by Rolls-Royce as successor to the Welland and Nene engines, the Derwent was specially designed for the Gloster Meteor jet fighter and was essentially a scaled-down version of the Nene. The first test flight of a Derwent was performed on a Vickers Wellington flying testbed.

On the 7th November 1945, a Gloster Meteor powered by Derwent V engines set a World air-speed record of 606 mph (975 km/h).

This engine was sectioned and presented to Charterhouse School, Godalming, Surrey for educational purposes before being donated to Brooklands Museum in 1998.

Donated by Charterhouse School

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Type: Turbojet

Thrust: 2,000 lbf (8.9 kN) at 16,500 rpm

Compressor: Single-stage double-sided centrifugal

Turbine: Single-stage axial