In 1945, the world's first turboprop-powered aircraft took off. It was a converted Gloster Meteor fighter aircraft, powered by two turbopropeller derivative engines based upon the Derwent 2 jet engine (Figs. 1 and 2).

By 1953 the world's first turbopropeller-powered airliner entered service. It was the Vickers Viscount powered by four Rolls-Royce Dart engines (Figs. 3 and 4).

To date, 7125 Darts have been sold and by the end of 1982 they had accumulated more than 100 million hours in service. The case for the turboprop as a powerplant for the commuter aircraft continues as strong as ever it was, but the Dart must be replaced by a low cost more fuel-efficient engine. Rolls-Royce plans for this are outlined.

With the present emphasis on fuel efficiency, a case is emerging for a 90-100-seat twin turboprop-powered super commuter — a market which Rolls-Royce intends to enter. Current estimates for a service date for such an aircraft place it in the region of 1992 to 1995.