In April 1946, Bristol began studies of a turbojet to power long-range, high altitude bombers at 960 km/hr (600 mph). The B.01 1 Olympus, the first British dual-shaft turbine engine, first ran in May 1950 and flight tests began in August 1952. Certificated in December 1952 at 49 KN (11,000 lb) thrust, the Royal Air Force received its first Mk. 101-powered Vulcan B.1 bomber in July 1956.

Significant uprating was later accomplished with a zero-compressor stage added ahead of the low pressure compressor, entering service in May 1963 as the 89 KN (20,000 lb) thrust Mk. 301.

The year 1966 marked not only the first flight of the Olympus 593 (underneath a Vulcan testbed aircraft), but also acquisition of Bristol Siddeley Engines Ltd. by Roll-Royce. First flight of the Olympus 593B powered Concorde occurred in March 1969. Full certification of the Olympus 593 was achieved in April 1975 at 178 KN (39,940 lb) thrust.

 Display Status This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date Circa 1960s Country of Origin United Kingdom Type PROPULSION-Turbines (Jet) Manufacturer Rolls-Royce Ltd. (Derby, U.K.) Physical Description Type: Turbojet, 2 spools Thrust: 89,000 N (20,000 lb) Compressor: 7-stage low pressure, 7-stage high pressure axial Combustor: Cannular Turbine: Single-stage high pressure, single-stage low pressure axial Weight: 1,946 kg (4,290 lb) Dimensions Length 333 cm (131 in.), Diameter 113 cm (44.5 in.)
 Materials Stainless Steel, Steel, Textile, Aluminum, Rubberm Inconel, Paint
 Inventory Number A19840636000 Credit Line Gift of Jack Keown Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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