The
Derwent was actually two different engines. The first
was a redesigned B.23 Welland with increased airflow and
straight through combustion chambers. Marks I through IV were
of this design reaching 2,450 lb thrust. Production began in
1944.
It was suggested a scaled down Nene engine would
fit the nacelle of a Gloster Meteor. A quick calculation
estimated thrust at 3,650 lb. By the end of 1945, a Meteor
powered by the Derwent V set a world speed record of 606 mph.
