FLYING HIGH: The late 1920s saw Rolls-Royce develop the `R' engine to power Britain's entry in the International Schneider Trophy seaplane contest. The engine established a new world air speed record of over 400 mph in 1931.
Subsequently, it also established new world records on both land and water. More importantly, it gave Rolls-Royce the technological base to develop the Merlin engine, which Royce had begun work on before his death in 1933.
On April 22, 1933, Henry Royce passed away.
In 1953, Rolls-Royce entered the civil aviation market with the Dart engine in the Vickers Viscount aircraft.
The Rolls-Royce Avon-powered Comet became the first turbojet to enter transatlantic service and in 1960 the company's Conway engine in the Boeing 707 became the first turbofan to enter airline service.
Rolls-Royce returned to the private sector in 1987, acquiring Northern Engineering Industries two years later to consolidate its capabilities in the field of industrial power.
Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce, Tony Gott, is reflected in the grille of the newly unveiled 'Phantom' model.
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