Rolls-Royce Dart
Part 4
A larger variant was proposed at one stage to achieve over 2000 shaft horsepower with a massively
strengthened reduction gearbox designated as an RDa11 Mark 541 but this never materialised as the
Viscount model was never developed. The engine was however, developed and used in the NAMC YS-11,
Convair 600 and 640 series (conversions from piston engines) and as a military engine for the
Avro Andover C Mark 1.
Rolls-Royce probably never expected the Dart to soldier on into the Twenty First Century, but
they are probably not surprised that it has become one of the safest and most reliable engines
of its class. The downside to the Dart nowadays, is its high fuel consumption compared to more
modern engines which consume less than half that of the Dart for the same power output. The
sound of the Dart will always remain memorable to most people who have stood and watched the
numerous aircraft that this incredible engine was fitted to taxy in and out of national and
regional airports around the world.
Sadly, the Viscount is virtually extinct operationally, but the Dart soldiers on in the Fokker
F27 Friendship, BAe 748, Gulfstream G159, NAMC YS-11 and a few Convair 600 and 640 aircraft.
Long may it continue to do so.
Dart Powered Aircraft
Avro / Hawker Siddeley / BAe 748
Convair 640
Namc YS-11
Grumman G-159 Gulfstream 1
