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History.
Experimental works with early jets immediately after the WWII
carried out by the research team of Sir Stanley Hooker proved,
that in the speed range of less than 450 m.p.h. the substantial
reduction of fuel consumption can be obtained by fitting an air-
screw to a gas turbine unit. This idea was materialized by Rolls-
Royce in the form of "Trent" engine being a modified "Derwent"
turbojet, fitted with shaft reduction gear and airscrew.
Only three "Trents" were assembled and, with two installed,
a Meteor 1 test bed became the first aircraft to take-off and fly
solely on turboprop power on September 20, 1945, with Gloster
Chief Test Pilot Eric Greenwood at the controls. In the initial
stages of the tests he suffered 18 complete engine failures in
21 flights. By March 1948 the development programme of the
"Trent" Meteor had been completed. The results of it were
embodied in highly successful "Clyde" and "Dart" turboprops.
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