Editing Rolls-Royce Dart

{{short description|1940s British turboprop aircraft engine}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2018}}
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
 |name=Dart
 |image= File:RRDart.JPG
 |caption=Rolls-Royce Dart RDa. 3 Mk506
}}{{Infobox aircraft engine
 |type=[[Turboprop]]
 |manufacturer=[[Rolls-Royce Limited]]
 |first run=1946
 |major applications= [[Hawker Siddeley HS 748|Avro 748]]<br />[[Breguet Alizé]]<br />[[Fokker F27 Friendship|Fokker F27]]<br />[[Grumman Gulfstream I]]<br />[[Vickers Viscount]]
 |number built = more than 7,100
 |program cost =
 |unit cost =
 |developed from =
 |developed into =
 |variants with their own articles =
}}
|}

The '''Rolls-Royce RB.53 Dart''' is a [[turboprop]] engine designed and manufactured by [[Rolls-Royce Limited]]. First run in 1946, it powered the [[Vickers Viscount]] on its maiden flight in 1948. A flight on July 29 of that year, which carried 14 paying passengers between [[RAF Northolt|Northolt]] and [[Paris–Le Bourget Airport]] in a Dart-powered Viscount, was the first regularly scheduled airline flight by a turbine-powered aircraft.<ref name="Turner9">Turner 1968, p. 9.</ref> The Viscount was the first turboprop-powered aircraft to enter airline service - [[British European Airways]] (BEA) in 1953.

The Dart was still in production forty years later when the last [[Fokker F27 Friendship]]s and [[Hawker Siddeley HS 748]]s were produced in 1987.

Following the company's convention for naming gas turbine engines after rivers, this turboprop engine design was named after the [[River Dart]].

==History==
Designed in 1946 by a team led by Lionel Haworth, the Dart engine was derived using experience gained from the earlier more powerful [[Rolls-Royce Clyde]] turboprop. A two-stage centrifugal compressor was specified to achieve the desired overall pressure ratio. A 3 stage, shared load, axial turbine was used to drive both the load (via a reduction gearbox) and the compression system. A photo showing a cutaway section of typical Dart engine is given below. 

Unlike the Clyde, the engine lacked a free power turbine. Consequently, under normal operating conditions, the power delivered to the propeller could not be modulated at a fixed prop speed.<ref name="The F27 Rolls Royce Dart powerplant">{{Cite web| title=Fokker F27 Mk 500 Friendship, G-JEAH, 4 August 1995 | url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5422ef5f40f0b6134200023b/dft_avsafety_pdf_500083.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204065700/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5422ef5f40f0b6134200023b/dft_avsafety_pdf_500083.pdf | archive-date=2017-02-04}}</ref>

The Dart was initially rated at 890 shp and first flew in October 1947 mounted to the nose of a converted [[Avro Lancaster]]. 

Improvements in the design boosted power output to 1,400 shp in the RDa.3, which went into production for the Viscount in 1952. The RDa.6 increased power to 1,600 shp and the RDa.7 to 1,800 shp by incorporating various improvements including a larger diameter second impeller.

Later Darts were rated up to 3,245 shp and remained in production until 1987, with approximately 7,100 produced, flying some 170 million hours.<ref name="Sutton Publishing 2006, p.195">"World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines – 5th edition" by [[Bill Gunston]], Sutton Publishing, 2006, p.195</ref>

The Dart was also produced under licence in India by [[Hindustan Aeronautics|Hindustan Aeronautics Limited]].<ref name="jawa82 p736">Taylor 1982, p. 736.</ref>

Haworth and his team later went on to design and develop the larger and more powerful [[Rolls-Royce Tyne]].<ref>"World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines – 5th edition" by [[Bill Gunston]], Sutton Publishing, 2006, p.197</ref>

==Variants==
As well as the RB.53 designation each mark of Dart engine was allocated a [[Ministry of Supply]] (MoS) "RDa.n" number as well as Mk.numbers.
;RDa.1: Initial prototype engines – 1,250 shp plus 300lb residual thrust<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1953/1953%20-%200371.html |title=gear box {{!}} strut gear {{!}} oil tank {{!}} 1953 {{!}} 0371 {{!}} Flight Archive |website=www.flightglobal.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519040405/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1953/1953%20-%200371.html |archive-date=2015-05-19}} </ref>
;RDa.2: Initial production engines
;RDa.3: {{convert|1,480|hp|kW|abbr=on|2}} estimated power – {{convert|1,345|hp|kW|abbr=on|2}} shaft power + {{convert|350|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} residual thrust at 14,500 rpm
;RDa.6: {{convert|1,670|hp|kW|abbr=on|2}} estimated power – {{convert|1,535|hp|kW|abbr=on|2}} shaft power + {{convert|350|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} residual thrust at 14,500 rpm
;RDa.7: {{convert|1,815|hp|kW|abbr=on|2}} estimated power – {{convert|1,630|hp|kW|abbr=on|2}} shaft power + {{convert|480|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} residual thrust at 15,000 rpm
;RDa.7/1: {{convert|1,910|hp|kW|abbr=on|2}} estimated power – {{convert|1,730|hp|kW|abbr=on|2}} shaft power + {{convert|470|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} residual thrust at 15,000 rpm
;RDa.7/2: {{convert|2,020|hp|kW|abbr=on|2}} estimated power – {{convert|1,835|hp|kW|abbr=on|2}} shaft power + {{convert|485|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} residual thrust at 15,000 rpm
;RDa.7 Mk 21: {{convert|2,099|hp|kW|abbr=on|2}} estimated power - used for [[Bréguet 1050 Alizé]]
;RDa.7/2 Mk.529: {{convert|2,100|hp|kW|abbr=on|2}} estimated power – {{convert|1,910|hp|kW|abbr=on|2}} shaft power + {{convert|495|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} residual thrust at 15,000 rpm
;RDa.10: {{convert|2,555|hp|kW|abbr=on|2}} estimated power – {{convert|2,305|hp|kW|abbr=on|2}} shaft power + {{convert|670|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} residual thrust at 15,000 rpm
;RDa.10/1: {{convert|3,030|hp|kW|abbr=on|2}} estimated power – {{convert|2,750|hp|kW|abbr=on|2}} shaft power + {{convert|750.4|lbf|kN|abbr=on|2}} residual thrust at 15,000 rpm
;RDa.10/1: {{convert|3,245|hp|kW|abbr=on|2}} estimated power at 15,000 rpm, with Water/Methanol injection for the [[Hawker-Siddeley HS.748MF Andover C Mk.1]].
;RDa.11:
;Mk.506: (RDa.3)
;Mk.510: (RDa.6)
;Mk.511: (RDa.6)
;Mk.512: (RDa.6)
;Mk.514: (RDa.6)
;Mk.520: (RDa.7)
;Mk.525: (RDa.7/1)
;Mk.526: (RDa.7/2)
;Mk.527: (RDa.7/2)
;Mk.528: (RDa.7/2)
;Mk.529: (RDa.7/2)
;Mk.530: (RDa.7/2)
;Mk.531: (RDa.7/2)
;Mk.551: (RDa.7)
;Mk.552: (RDa-7)
;Mk.540: (RDa.10)
;Mk.541: (RDa.11)
;Mk.542: (RDa.10/1)

==Applications==
[[File:Rolls-Royce Dart Fokker F 27.jpg|thumb|right|A Rolls-Royce Dart mounted on a [[Fokker F27 Friendship]]]]
[[File:Rolls-Royce Dart.jpg|thumb|Rolls-Royce Darts on a [[Vickers Viscount]]]]
Largely associated with the very successful [[Vickers Viscount]] medium-range [[airliner]], it powered a number of other European and Japanese designs of the 1950s and 60s and was also used to convert American-manufactured piston aircraft to turboprop power. The list includes:
* [[Armstrong Whitworth AW.660 Argosy]] :  Medium-range transport
* [[Aviation Traders Accountant]] : Cancelled prototype airliner
* [[Avro 748]] (Hawker Siddeley H.S. 748) : Feeder airliner.
* [[Avro Athena]] one prototype aircraft only  : Military trainer 
* [[Breguet Alizé]] :  Anti-submarine aircraft: Dart RDa 21 2099&nbsp;hp with [[Water injection (engines)|water/methanol injection]]
* [[Cavalier Mustang|Cavalier Turbo Mustang III]]
* [[Fairchild F-27]] :  Small airliner, U.S. manufactured version of the [[Fokker F27 Friendship]]. Two versions: F27A and F27B
* [[Fairchild Hiller FH-227]] : Airliner, U.S. manufactured version of the [[Fairchild F-27]] featuring a stretched fuselage with increased passenger seating
* [[Fokker F27 Friendship]] :  Small airliner from Dutch aerospace and aviation manufacturer [[Fokker]]. The original model on which several other airliners were based (such as the abovementioned F-27 and FH-227).
* [[Grumman Gulfstream I]] (G-159) : Executive transport & small airliner.  Includes the stretched Grumman Gulfstream I-C (G-159C).
* [[Handley Page Dart Herald]] : Small airliner
* [[Hawker Siddeley Andover]] : Military transport
* [[NAMC YS-11]] :  Short/medium range airliner (Japanese aircraft)
* Some [[Douglas DC-3#Turboprop conversions|Douglas DC-3]] transport aircraft have been upgraded to use Darts. DC-3s in BEA service with this update were called Pionairs. Another conversion is the [[Conroy Turbo Three]].
* [[Convair 600]] and [[Convair 640]] converted from [[Convair 240]], [[Convair 340]] and [[Convair 440]] piston-powered aircraft:  Small airliners
* [[Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress|Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress]] : A unique one was converted by Aero-Flite Company with 4x Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines and was used for [[Aerial firefighting|fire fighting]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tailsthroughtime.com/2010/06/in-late-1950s-many-of-surplus-boeing-b.html|title=Tails Through Time: The Turboprop B-17 Flying Fortress|website=www.tailsthroughtime.com|access-date=2016-04-05|archive-date=25 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325214629/http://www.tailsthroughtime.com/2010/06/in-late-1950s-many-of-surplus-boeing-b.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airailimages.com/uploads/1/0/1/9/10199931/________2253112_orig.jpg|title=Airailimages.com|last=Johnsen|first=Frederick|publisher=Kenneth G. Johnsen}}</ref>

Power output was around 1,500&nbsp;hp (1,120&nbsp;kW) in early versions, and close to twice that in later versions, such as those that powered the [[NAMC YS-11]] airliner. Some versions of the engine were fitted with water methanol injection, which boosted power in hot and high altitude conditions.

==Engines on display==
[[File:RR Dart.jpg|thumb|Rolls Royce Dart Engine on Display at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona]]

*A Rolls-Royce Dart is on public display at the [[Royal Air Force Museum Cosford]].<ref>[http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/222/engine--rollsroyce-dart-rda-3-mk506 Royal Air Force Museum Cosford – Rolls-Royce Dart] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304202145/http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/222/engine--rollsroyce-dart-rda-3-mk506 |date=4 March 2016 }} www.rafmuseum.org.uk Retrieved: 31 July 2012</ref>
*A Rolls-Royce Dart is on display at the [https://www.rolls-royce.com/about/heritage-trust Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust]  (Derby). 
*A Rolls-Royce Dart is on public display at the [[Gatwick Aviation Museum]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gatwick-aviation-museum.co.uk/engines/engines.html |title=GATWICK AVIATION MUSEUM - AERO ENGINES |website=www.gatwick-aviation-museum.co.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040214073816/http://www.gatwick-aviation-museum.co.uk/engines/engines.html |archive-date=2004-02-14}} </ref>
*A Rolls-Royce Dart is on public display at the [[National Air and Space Museum]].<ref name="airandspace.si.edu">{{cite web |url=http://airandspace.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?object=nasm_A19820071000 |title=Rolls-Royce Dart Mk. 520 Turboprop Engine, Cutaway {{!}} National Air and Space Museum |website=airandspace.si.edu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920203237/http://airandspace.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?object=nasm_A19820071000 |archive-date=2015-09-20}} </ref>
*A Rolls-Royce Dart is on public display at [[Canadian Museum of Flight]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.canadianflight.org/content/rolls-royce-dart-506|title=Rolls-Royce Dart 506}}</ref>
*A Rolls-Royce Dart is on public display at the [[Australian National Aviation Museum]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aarg.com.au/rolls-royce-dart.html|title=Rolls Royce Dart|access-date=11 November 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065122/http://www.aarg.com.au/rolls-royce-dart.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*A Rolls-Royce Dart is on public display at the [[Aviation Heritage Museum (Western Australia)]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.raafawa.org.au/museum/rolls-royce-dart#!dart_1_223|title=Aviation Heritage Museum &#124; Bull Creek, Perth}}</ref>
*A Rolls-Royce Dart is on display at [[Brooklyn Technical High School]]
*A Rolls-Royce Dart RDa.7 is on public display at the [[City of Norwich Aviation Museum]] in [[Horsham St Faith|Horsham St Faith, Norfolk]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Engines List |url=http://www.cnam.org.uk/engines-list |website=City of Norwich Aviation Museum |access-date=27 August 2023}}</ref>
*A Rolls-Royce Dart is on public display at the [[Civil Aviation Trust Museum]] in [[Staplecross, East Sussex]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Engines List |url=http://www.cnam.org.uk/engines-list |website=City of Norwich Aviation Museum |access-date=27 August 2023}}</ref>
==Specifications (Dart RDa.7)==
[[File:Rolls royce dart turboprop.jpg|thumb|right|300 px|Rolls-Royce Dart Turboprop engine, cut-away display]]
{{jetspecs
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|ref=''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66.''<ref name="jawa65 p485-6">Taylor 1965, pp. 485–6.</ref>
|type=Turboprop
|length={{convert|97.6|in|mm|abbr=on}}
|diameter={{convert|37.9|in|mm|abbr=on}}
|weight={{convert|1207|lb|kg|abbr=on}} (dry)
|compressor=Two-stage [[centrifugal compressor]]
|combustion=7 straight-flow combustion chambers with ignitors in No 3 and 7 chambers
|turbine=3-stage axial turbine
|fueltype=Kerosene
|oilsystem=Self contained, 25 pint (14 L) capacity oil tank
|power=1,815 ehp (1,354 kW) ({{convert|1630|shp|kW|abbr=on}}) at 15,000 rpm
|thrust=
|compression=5.62:1
|aircon=23.5 lb/s (10.66 kg/s)
|turbinetemp=
|fuelcon=
|specfuelcon=0.581 lb/([[ehp]] hr)
|power/weight=1.35 [[Shaft horsepower|shp]]/lb (2.48 kW/kg)
|thrust/weight=
}}

==See also==
{{Aircontent
|related=
|similar engines=
*[[Armstrong Siddeley Mamba]]
*[[General Electric T58]]
*[[Lycoming T53]]
*[[Napier Eland]]
|lists=
* [[List of aircraft engines]]
|see also=
}}

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
* Gunston, Bill. ''World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines''. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. {{ISBN|1-85260-163-9}}
* [[John W. R. Taylor|Taylor, John W. R.]] ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66''. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company Ltd, 1965.
* Taylor, John W. R. ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83''. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1982. {{ISBN|0-7106-0748-2}}.
* Turner, P. St. John. ''Handbook of the Vickers Viscount''. London: Ian Allan, 1968. {{ISBN|978-0711000520}}.
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.vickersviscount.net/Pages_Technical/TechnicalRollsRoyce1.aspx Vickers Viscount and RR Dart history]
*[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1953/1953%20-%200370.html "The Story of the Dart"] a 1953 ''Flight'' article
*[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1955/1955%20-%200045.html "Dart Development"] a 1955 ''Flight'' article on the Dart
*[https://fieldsairmotive.weebly.com/dart-engine.html "Dart in Overhaul Shop photos"] Fields Airmotive Dart Page with photos of Dart disassembled

{{Rolls-Royce aeroengines}}

[[Category:Rolls-Royce aircraft gas turbine engines|Dart]]
[[Category:1940s turboprop engines]]
[[Category:Centrifugal-flow gas turbine engines]]