The Rolls-Royce Avon is an axial-flow turbojet that powered several important postwar fighters, bombers and airliners. Development began in 1945 under the AJ.65 designation, referring to an axial jet in the 6,500 lbf thrust class. The first production RA.3 engines were delivered in June 1950.[1]Rolls-Royce Avon Mk 28-49 turbojet engineNational Air and Space Museum · airandspace.si.edu · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Moving to axial compression
Rolls-Royce developed the Avon to succeed the Nene. British early jet-engine work had largely used centrifugal compressors, whose broad shape and growth limitations encouraged interest in axial designs. The RA.2 was completed in 1947 and exhibited at Farnborough in 1948. The Avon became one of Britain's early commercially successful axial-flow engine programmes.[1]Rolls-Royce Avon Mk 28-49 turbojet engineNational Air and Space Museum · airandspace.si.edu · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[2]CAC Avon Mk. 26, CAC Sabre, 1955Museums Victoria · collections.museumsvictoria.com.au · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Civil and military aircraft
The engine's applications included the English Electric Canberra bomber, Hawker Hunter fighter, de Havilland Comet and Sud Caravelle airliners. This combination brought the Avon into both military operations and the developing passenger-jet market. It also powered Australia's CAC Sabre, an application involving local engine production rather than simply importing completed British engines.[2]CAC Avon Mk. 26, CAC Sabre, 1955Museums Victoria · collections.museumsvictoria.com.au · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Australian manufacture
Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation built the RA.7 under licence as the Avon Mk.26 at Fishermens Bend in Melbourne. The version supplied 7,500 lbf thrust at sea level for the CA-27 Sabre. Museums Victoria records 218 Avons built by CAC and notes its manufacture of Mk.109 engines for Australian Canberras. Its preserved Mk.26 was purchased in 1967 and subsequently sectioned for display.[2]CAC Avon Mk. 26, CAC Sabre, 1955Museums Victoria · collections.museumsvictoria.com.au · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Vertical-flight research
An unusual Avon installation was the Ryan X-13 Vertijet. The Smithsonian's RA.28-49 engine was manufactured in June 1955 specifically for Ryan and was rated at 10,000 lbf thrust. The Vertijet demonstrated transition from horizontal to vertical flight and back in November 1956. This research application extended the engine's use beyond conventional aircraft into investigations of jet-powered vertical takeoff and landing.[1]Rolls-Royce Avon Mk 28-49 turbojet engineNational Air and Space Museum · airandspace.si.edu · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details