History:
Development of the Rolls Royce Avon turbo jet started in 1945 under the Rolls Royce designation AJ-65. The first Avon prototypes appeared in 1947, but due to a number of minor problems, production did not get underway until 1950. The first production version, the Rolls Royce Avon RA.3/MK.101 provided 6500lbs of thrust and was used in the English Electric Canberra.
The Avon was developed for some time, while the early versions had 8 canular combustion chambers, later versions had a can-annular combustion chamber. Production of the Avon for aircraft continued until 1974, by which time an impressive total of over 11,000 had been built.
This project was part-funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Clare County Council under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
Shannon Aviation Museum,
Link Road, Shannon, Co. Clare