Power Jets W2/500

The Power Jets W2 series of experimental gas turbines, like this W2B dating from 1942, led to the development of Britain's first production jet engine – the Rolls-Royce Welland.

During 1942, Air Commodore Frank Whittle and his team of engineers at Power Jets perfected their W2 engine by introducing improvements to the original design. The W2B version (later named the W2/500) performed so well that it was put into production by Rolls-Royce in 1943 and was named the Welland. These were the engines which originally powered the Gloster Meteor F Mk I, the first jet aircraft to enter RAF service.