In 1947, the Soviet Union purchased a batch of Rolls Royce Derwent and Rolls Royce Nene turbojet engines from Great Britain. It also received their technical documentation.
This purchase accelerated the entry of Soviet aviation technology into the world’s elite. For engine production, the Soviets already used their own technologies. The technical and operational parameters of the engines were comparable to their Western counterparts.
The Rolls Royce Derwent engine was produced as the RD-500. It powered the Yakovlev Yak-23 and Lavochkin La-15 aircraft.
| Configuration | single-flow single-shaft turbojet engine with double-sided centrifugal compressor and single-stage turbine |
| Thrust | 1590 kG (15.6 kN) |
