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Frank Whittle and Rolls-Royce Frank Whittle and Rolls-Royce, Barnoldswick, developed and pioneered global aerospace since the opening of the site in W.W.2. Rolls Royce has been important locally as a major employer and nationally as the pioneer of national defence and civil aviation. Frank Whittle - father of the jet engine Rolls Royce grew from an electrical business established in 1884 by Henry Royce. During the First World War, the company developed their first aero-engine, the Eagle, which later powered the first transatlantic flight. In 1931, the company developed the R Engine which evolved into the Merlin – famously used to power the Spitfire and Hurricane fighters. The Second World War transformed Rolls Royce into a major force in the aero industry. Working with Frank Whittle, the company developed the first gas turbine – or jet – engine. In 1941 the Gloster Meteor made its first powered flight. It was this engine which was to be developed and manufactured in Barnoldswick. Frank Whittle (centre) with Stanley Hooker and John Herriot Frank Whittle - Production moves to Barnoldswick Rover were initially given the contract to produce the W2 jet engine for the Gloster Meteor. They decided to move production to Clitheroe and Barnoldswick to escape the heavy German bombing of their Midlands headquarters. Bankfield Mill was chosen as the main manufacturing site in Barnoldswick. Rover moved here to develop their top-secret war time project in 1940. Bracewell Hall, left, was used as offices by Rover, and later, Rolls-Royce In 1942, Rolls-Royce took over the contract from Rover, and assumed control of the Bankfield site in 1943. The Meteor fighter was ready for service in 1944. The factory at Ghyll Brow was also acquired by Roll-Royce and used for testing the assembled aero engines. Frank Whittle - Manufacture of the jet engines The site at Bankfield was jointly operated by the Ministry of Aircraft Production and Rolls- Royce. As well as the manufacturing plant at Bankfield and testing facility at Ghyll Brow, nearby Bracewell Hall was used for offices. The Hostel at Barnoldswick used to house the specialist aero technicians Telegram from the Ministry of Aircraft Production congratulating the workers at Barnoldswick after the successful deployment of the Meteor. By 1943 there were about 1500 people engaged in the manufacture of the turbine blades for the W2 engine. They worked 12 hour shifts around the clock to assemble the aero engines, which were tested at nearby Ghyll Brow. The images above and below show the W2 aero engine manufactured at Barnoldswick which powered the Gloster Meteor. Frank Whittle - Rolls-Royce since the war Roll-Royce continued to manufacture aero engines in Barnoldswick after the war. In 1946, jet engines from Bankfield were exported to the Soviet Union and China. However, the best-known engine made at the site is the R-B211 engine produced for the Boeing 747 jumbo Jet in the 1970s. The initials ‘R-B' stand for ‘Rolls-Barnoldswick'. During the 1980s, the Barnoldswick sites have become less important to Rolls-Royce as the development and testing of components has been moved to other sites. However, the company is still a major employer in the town. Frank Whittle and Rolls-Royce - Further Reading Websites with information on Frank Whittle and Rolls-Royce Frank Whittle - Wikipedia Rolls Royce aerospace - Wikipedia The Frank Whittle web site BBC Oxford dictionary of National Biography entry .
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  • Sir Frank Whittle
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