Rover (Rolls Royce) W2B/23 Welland
The First prototype Meteor DG202 was to be powered by the Rover W2B/23, its reverse flow design dictated by the primitive materials available combined with the stresses induced by the very high revolutions of the early engines (17,000 rpm). The reverse flow meant that the main shaft was kept as short as possible.
The W2B design also featured a double sided impeller
The development of the W2B, initially subcontrated to Rover was a nightmare of mis-management. The Rover engineers wanted to pursue their own ideas rather than cooperate with Whittle. The delayed development meant that the fourth prototype DG206 with its de Haviland H1 engines would be the first prototype to fly in March of 1943 while DG202 would not fly until the July.
The design of the W2B/23 is obvious in this engine preserved at the Museum of Army Flying
One major delay concerned the engines power output, initially unsatisfactory, Whittle told Rover to apply a 5% twist to the fan blades but this was ignored by Rover, by the end of 1942 the Air Ministry had lost patience and forewarned of this Rolls Royce having a real interest in being involved in jet engine development offered to take over the engine project from Rover in exchange for two wartime tank factories. The offer was made over lunch which cost Hives, the Rolls Royce chairman 7/6d (37 pence). Rolls Royce listened to Whittle, twisted the fan blades and achieved the 1,700 lbs of thrust required, the Rolls Royce W2B/37 Welland powered all the F. Mk1 Meteors and the first few F. Mk3's, the remaining F. Mk3's being powered by the 2,000 lb thrust Rolls Royce Derwent I, a straight through flow development of the W2B/23 of which only 100 were built.