British Civil Aviation in 1944

April
The Rolls-Royce Derwent I engine begins flight trials in a Gloster Meteor testbed. The engine, a centrifugal-flow turbojet with 10 combustion chambers, is designed to produce 2,000 pounds of thrust and incorporate a straight-through gas flow system.

28 July
The de Havilland Hornet makes its first flight.

14 December
The Short Shetland, a large long-range flying boat, makes its first flight.