Abstract: A rotary actuator incorporating an enclosure with a rectilineal slideway along which a slide member is movable has means at one end of the slide member for moving the member along the slideway and further means at the other end of the slide member for restraining the slide member from rotary movement; the slide member carries a screw threaded nut assembly which engages a worm screw forming a part of an output shaft which is rotated when the slide member slides.