The Python turboprop engine was designed and built by Armstrong Siddeley and had evolved from the earlier axial flow ASX turbojet engine developed in 1943. Its main use was in the Westland Wyvern naval carrier-based heavy fighter, the turboprop engine replacing the Wyvern prototype's original Rolls Royce Eagle 22 piston engine. In this application, the Python was rated at 4,110 EHP.
The design started as an experimental pure-turbojet known as the ASX, which started running in 1943. By this point other engine designs were already entering pre-production, and it seemed there was little need for the ASX in its existing form. The design was then modified into the turboprop layout with the addition of a second turbine stage, which was geared to the propeller.
Early flight-testing of the Python was carried out using Lancaster TW911 and later Lincoln RE339/G, each aircraft having the two outboard Merlins replaced by Pythons. Lincoln B.2 RF403 also had two Pythons installed and was used for high-altitude bombing trials at Woomera South Australia, the engines being used to increase the ceiling of the Lincoln to reach heights from which tests could be carried out.
The Museum's Python is assumed to be an engine associated with the operation of the Python Lincolns at Woomera
