The Engine That Won World War II - Jay Leno's Garage
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- With 1390 hp, Jay demonstrates the power and engineering of the Merlin 1650-1 engine that was the heart of the P-51 Mustangs and the Lancaster bombers in World War II.
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The Engine That Won World War II - Jay Leno's Garage
• The Engine That Won Wo...
Jay Leno's Garage
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A old mustang mechanic from WW2 lived not far from us when I grew up as a kid. He got me interested in Hot Rods mostly due to his old Flat head Ford Pickup with a Offenhauser headed Engine and 3 -2 BBL carbs anyway he had bought a decommissioned P-51 Mustang from some place in South America and had it shipped up to the middle of Nebraska complete with it's Packard built Merlin and I was there the day he finally got it all reassembled and started it for the first time....it leaked oil and av gas several places so after making the needed repairs and tightening of fittings it fired right up and he and I taxied it on his home built grass runway behind his barn turned shop...the wheels lifted off the ground on the return trip down the runway and I saw daylight in the setting sun under the wheels....then we safely taxied it back to the barn and a little over a week later he flew it to his Brothers Farm in Northern Missouri where he visited for a couple of days before returning home in it. He landed it safely parked it in his barn and it sat there for the next few years. He faithfully started and ran it every week or 2 till he sold it to a War Plane Collector some place in Northern California I think he told me.
Funny thing is he never had any children and his only wife died at the age of 64 so most of the time I spent with him it was just him and me working on hot rods or that Mustang.....when he passed some years later I got a call from his Atty. Telling me he had left me his entire accumulation of tools and that 1950 Flathead Ford pickup. His Brother's family got the house and farm and had a huge auction where many of his treasures were sold to the highest bidder but I got the tools and Truck and still own them all today. Someday I will pass them on to my Son but man the greatest gift he gave me was his friendship, patience, knowledge and experience....that and a ride in a real honest to goodness Merlin Powered P-51 Mustang ! the greatest gift of all.
@Chris Banks
I know I did.....though it would have been Perdy nice to have the Mustang too....lol
Our Son asked to borrow the Flathead one day and about a Month later brought it home.... wearing a bright new shiny paint job...(he used it as his Senior Auto Shop Project ) and completely re did the body and Oak plank Bed in the Box of the Pickup.....it's still my Daily Driver and has well over 200,000 miles on it now total but people who are alot sharper than me about those Flathead Pickups are always telling me it looks better now than when those trucks were brand new....and I gotta take their word for it.....I know this much.....for how heavy it is.....it's still really fast and sounds fantastic.
What an awesome story. Thanks, for sharing.
@@starfighterusscv-6693
I was afraid when first posting this people might think me a Liar of the first order but interesting thing is I have a whole photo album we put together of him and I working on the old war bird...(that was what he named it)...he let me have my High School Art Teacher come out one Saturday Afternoon and paint a nasty looking Hawk that was black above and brown underneath in flight with leather flight hat on diving under the name on both sides of the nose) it had a black and white checker board design on the tail and lower rear fuselage and a blood red nose cone with the flat black top of the engine canopy right up to and around the cockpit.......anyway I have bunches of 110 kodak instamatic photos in the album from the very day it was delivered on 2 semi truck flat beds and a Van Truck...right up to the day we said our goodbyes to the plane when it's new owner hopped in her and pointed her nose to Sunny California several years later......I know it went to Santa Monica but from there have lost track of it in the years since. I only hope it's still flying someplace giving the thrill of a lifetime to people like it did to me....my only regret in this life is I didn't take him up on his offer to teach me to fly it....who knows I might own it today yet if I had.
Someday if I ever run into the old girl I will make a present of the photo album to whoever owns her now.
I lived half a mile from the National Helicopter Museum so was used to odd things flying around. One dayI heard something very different. Two P-51 Mustangs buzzing my street at a couple of hundred feet, went out to watch and they did it 4 or 5 times that afternoon. Turns out a neighbor knew one of the pilots. Priceless :)
Damn what a story . I miss my buddy he moved to Missouri I don't have a garage to work on stuff in anymore. Go big red!!!
"I'm in the Merlin section of my garage" only one,or two other people could say that, but even funnier is Jay is so causal about it. Gotta love'm.
The most amazing thing is ge says it and it doesn't sound like he is bragging.
Yes, Jay is the most down to earth "rich guy" you'll ever meet! I was at a news stand in Las Vegas and Jay came over to me and wanted to talk about the 65 Mustang on the magazine cover! Talked about "car stuff" for a good 5 or ten minutes just he and I, before other people saw him and came over to join in. Great guy!
Hello fellow Marine! This is my buddy Gunny here.
I would LOVE touring his museum.
So is President Donald J. Trump.
"Merlin section of my garage"
That's when you absolutely positively know you've made it.
lol ... indeed!
Guy Martin made it
@@guitarguy4372 He didn't make his either. And like Leno's, it is a Packard license built version.
Wow,truly amazing story,I loved it. Your sons are privileged.
@@supertramp6011 A lot of the early hydroplanes were powered by these (and others like them). I hated what the yearly races did to the lake; They stirred up old rotten sediment from the bottom and made the lake unsuitable for recreation 'til the next spring. But I can tell you, they were impressive as heck to watch and hear.
Was lucky enough to witness the Battle of Britain Memorial flight and Canadian Lancaster fly together back in 2014. 10 Merlin engines, with the Spitfire and Hurricane alongside.
An absolute treat for all the senses!
My grandad was head of non destructive testing at rolls royce in derby during WW2 - he signed off half of the engines that fought in the battle of britain - i think of him every day in my own business and it pushes me on to do better - thanks for your tribute to the Merlin jayleno - love all your videos.
I'm from Hamilton, Ont and have been to the Warplane Heritage Museum many times as recently as this summer when I took my family back for a visit. There are volunteer guides there in their 60s or so and even if you're not with a group, they gave my wife, young son and I a tour of about 30 minutes with stories on each of the many aircraft. Great place, great people.
Never saw a man as comfortable in his own skin! Love his appreciation of everything motorized and love his willingness to share his enthusiasm wit others.
we are lucky to share in it!
Lol I've seen Jay lose total interest when guys are talking about paint and design but when it comes to drivetrain...
I return to this video often. My grandmother made piston rings for the Merlin during the war. The family comes from Hampshire (England) where the spitfire first flew. Production was spread across many sites to avoid supply chain issues after bombings. I feel such a connection to these things. What an engine, what a thing they did.
Me too.
You have to go to Toronto and take a ride in a Lancaster, I'm sure your grandmother isn't around anymore but my thanks to her and her generation for everything they did for the free world. I hate to say it, but I don't believe this generation would be able to do 20% of what the greatest generation did winning WW2.
Jay,
As a long time aviation buff, A&P mechanic, and pilot, thank you for giving the Merlin another chance at life. The Merlin is one the most beautiful sounding engines ever built.
In my early career as a mechanic I worked for Biegert Aviation out of Chandler AZ. We maintained a fleet of 9 Douglas C-54 (DC-4) aircraft outfitted for large area crop dusting for spruce bud worm in Main. Our typical contract was to treat over 1.3 million acres of forest. We had six aircraft on a two week start up and system check out for about two years. How cool is that for a guy just out of A&P school to be on a crew to start and run these classic aircraft every two weeks. The DC-4's were equipped with 4 Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasp R-2000 radial engines. With 2000 cubic inches of displacement and a two stage supercharger (much like your Merlin) it netted around 1450 HP @ 2700 RPM @ sea level.
I loved watching your engine demo but I do have a suggestion on your starting sequence. These old engines start very similar to each other. The next time you run it try this starting sequence.
-Master ON.
-Pre-oilier ON until high regulated pressure reached. oilier-OFF
-Throttle cracked, Mixture-Idle cutoff, Prop-High RPM, Blower-Low
-Mags ON
-Starter switch ON and count nine blades (this clears any fuel or oil out of the cylinders)
-After nine blades, primer switch ON and hold, even after the engine starts, it will run fat but that's OK.
-After its running, push the mixture lever to full rich position, once the engine starts to falter because it now too rich, Primmer switch OFF. Engine should pick back up and clear out.
-Leave the mixture rich until the engine warms up.
-After the engine warms up, idle the engine up as high as comfortable and cycle the prop from Hi to Low RPM, wait for the prop to respond, return it to High. Do this three times.
-After this, slowly pull back the mixture until the engine starts to lag then back up a notch till it runs normally again.
-Throttle back to a smooth idle
This should make it a lot easier to start.
I've been a fan of yours your entire career. I love watching JLG and how enthusiastic you are about all mechanical things car/motorcycle related or not. I'm fascinated with your Stanley Steamer.
Keep up the good work and keep em running!
Robert Callahan, Mesa AZ
Best comment ever.
10 thumbs up for this comment.
Useful comments, Robert.
You have an A&P. I was an Aeronautical Engineer with an A&E, the last year before the change to A&P, as I didn't have Jet propulsion training. I got Jet training courtesy the Military.
The first Civilian Jet Aircraft I worked on was a 727. I really feel old Robert. HaHa!
All that and it proves who all these famous people are. You are a passer by in their life. Your info could be gold. Remember we are just peasants. He buys the experience we made our lives on. Those who can't. Teach.
Jay is head wired the same as Harley. The money and the name took the spirit out of the passion that was started by thoughts.
He affords people's thoughts. Your true life experience means zilch. Always will.
Yet to those of us who are truly aviation. Yes A&P, FCC GROL, 10 years in the Army on 60's. 16 years in aircraft.
I am no better than anyone else. Just trying to keep the dream alive and safe.
I noticed your knowledge and appreciate your passion.
WOW... Dr Fu Ran Li !!! A Ph.D. AND an A&P... wow, just wow 👏👏👏
That Lancaster flies right over my house every time the weather is nice, all summer long. You can hear those four Merlins coming from close to a mile away. Nice plug by Jay for the guys in Hamilton who do a great job keeping that thing in the air.
I've seen that plane. A friend of mine is a framer, and as a carpenter thought I'd go work with him one summer. I forget exactly where in Ancaster we were working, but on one house we were just finishing the ridge when we heard the Lancaster . my friend told me his grandpa flew one in the war, and he and I both are still interested in history, and this is likely how he knew what plane it was. I swear to god it was flying so close to us at one point that it was as if we could touch it but j will tell you this; it was scary as hell! That plane shook our roof, and the sound was a lot like a top fuel car at the line. Just feels like it grabs you by the collar and shakes you. But yeah, that's as close as I've ever been to it, though I'll likely go check it out kn the ground one day:)
@@NickFortier The second flying Lancaster is based at RAF Coningsby so that is maybe where it was heading. I was working at the RAF base around 3 weeks ago and had the pleasure of watching it take off while I was working on top of a snow plough just off the runway. The skies were clear and the sound was just amazing. It’s a rare sight and something I’ll never forget!
parker yuyup, it's truly awesome eh
To bad he said it was "Up in Toronto" which it is not.
My best sighting of ours was while we were on Long Point Beach one summer about 2010, they flew it right down the point along the beach not that far off shore. Seemed like it was so low, we could almost read the markings. The sound of those engines just stops everything, every one just stood and gawped as it chugged past. Amazing, long life to it.
I late father worked at RR in the war. He worked in the factory and also out in the field during the war as a service rep. He was in France when the Germans pushed the Arm back to the coast. He was lucky to get out. I still have some Merlin manuals and pilot notes etc and tools. FYI. We still live in Derby and RR still have a flying spitfire at a local airfield that we see flying around the area in the summer going to exhibitions. Everyone still comes out to watch when they hear it. It has a special place in the history of Derby.
It has a special place in the history of the world.
Living in Chad myself I know too well about the Rolls-Royce heritage in Derby. My late grandfather worked on nightingale road site.
I live on the SE coast of England and see Spitfires more regularly now than I did when I was a boy in the 80s. You can hear a Merlin a mile away - so distinct, and just as you say, when I hear it I go outside to watch it. I saw the BoB flypast three years back and they flew past me at eye level as I stood on the cliffs outside Hastings. It was moving, no other way to describe it.
I could stare at that engine for hours. The cooling system alone is a work of art.
I just gained a lot of respect for this man. He's totally into his hobby. Amazing!
It's funny today to be willing to read a book stating facts that you are welcome to question and test for yourself without judgment. Now you are not allowed to drink until your 21 do to immaturity. Yet without parental consent you can have a sex change before you turn 10. I'm sorry but we have 2000 yrs. of real science to back all this up. 18 months ago they claimed that if they could save 1 life it was worth it. Those same people are now screaming for WW3 which could go nuclear. Yesterday save 1 life. Tomorrow evaporate hundreds of millions.
And a tough dude too ! He got burned a couple months ago in the face. Then I watched a video two weeks ago and he's by a wrecked motorcycle, talking about I almost decapitated himself, and typical Jay laughs 😂
I never knew the show was just a way for him to actually pursue his interests...
How can you respect a man that does not know what the hell he is talking about ???
@@wilburfinnigan2142what makes you think that?
One of the amazing things about the Merlin engine, and the Pratt & Whitney 4360 Wasp radial engine as well, is that they were cranked out in enormous numbers, and yet were very reliable. They brought the pilots home. WW II was won in the factories as much as the battlefields. Maybe more,
You Got that Right!!!
yes that made them reliable. all problems were solved and production smooth
R2800 was a blessing too
I think the Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone was the real ww2 winning engine. B-29's Engine
The mighty RR Merlin won the air war for the allies. Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster, Mosquito, Halifax early marks, Defiant and Mustang.
In September of 2019, my wife and I both had the good fortune to fly out of Biggin Hill in two Spitfires. We flew for an hour doing victory rolls over the lovely English countryside and ultimately over the White Cliffs of Dover. We individually took control of each aircraft, gently maneuvering these beautiful fighters. From start-up to landing, the sound of the Merlin engines was symphonic to my ears.
That must have been an awesome experience. Happy for you.
Not many people can say they did this. I passed up an opportunity to fly in a P51 for 400 bucks at Reno back in the 90's and will always regret it...
I`ll be flying a Spitfire next month at Goodwood Aerodrome in West Sussex,it cost me over £3,000 and can`t wait!!
I love how Jay takes the time to explain everything. Hes not in a hurry. He seems to enjoy telling us about all the complex operations of the interesting parts. Thank's Jay.
This is the most beautiful sounding thing in existence
Closed caption thinks the sound is [Music]
James my thoughts exactly! I tell people the very same thing. I heard these engines first in unlimited hydroplanes racing on the Columbia River or should I say felt them. It's incredible hearing 6 boats with these engines at a start of a races. I miss them now that the boats race with turbines from a helicopter.
Agreed
@@glennhubanks4729 Like comparing tonka toys to a tank.
Jay is livin life to its fullest, isn't he? One of the most down to earth multi-millionaires on the planet....
Branon Fontaine with only one set of clothes
Legend says he has hundreds of identical denim outfits.
ShamWerks They are not identical. But it does have a standard look.
Down to earth until he opens the throttle on the Merlin a bit too much.. :)
If Homer Simpson can wear one set of clothes for 30 years, so can Jay.
My wife's uncle was a Lancaster pilot during WWII. He was shot down during a raid over Germany in June 1944.
Some of the crew baled out and survived but he was killed. He was 22 years old and wanted to be an architect. "Lest We Forget"
Mike, we will never forget!
@@davehoward22 one of the ' GLORIOUS FEW ' 👌👍
Speaking of Architects, just remember who were the architects of the war.
A God among Men.
Jay Leno is a National Treasure. Such a humble man. I’m so grateful, being a gear head myself, that Jay has strived to share his blessings with us. Thanks Jay
Love This!! Here's the thing, we as a nation have not been perfect. But I firmly believe that the good we have done far outweighs any negatives. I respect Mr. Leno's passion to preserve history in an era were so many want to tear it down. Our history plays a direct role in who we are, as a nation, and even more basic...as humans. The partnerships we have developed have made this a pretty decent world to live in, despite what you hear and see on the nightly news. Thank You England for being our greatest ally, and thank you Mr. Leno for sharing this amazing piece of history.
guitarplayergeek as a Brit I think it’s awesome people like Mr Leno and Mr Weeks who invest a huge amount of time and money in saving our history 👍🇬🇧🇺🇸
Love the fact he knows this engine inside and out and he's not afraid to say the Brits made/designed the best piston engined aero engine. Packard Merlins were built under licence in the USA and Canada. There is nothing more spectacular than seeing and hearing a Lancaster bomber, with four Merlins going 'flat chat' (Australian parlance for flat out) thundering down a runway on a take off run. Good on you Jay!.
Why would he not say who constructed the engine?
Didn't the Aussies fly an Avro Lancaster under Sydney harbour bridge after ww2
@@Rob-The-Red Yes Q -Queenie was flown under it in 1943.
Guys, HERE is Our TRUE Savior
YaH The Heavenly FATHER HIMSELF was Who they Crucified/Pierced for our sins and “HERE IS THE PROOF”
From the Ancient Semitic:
"Yad He Vav He" is what Moshe (Moses) wrote, when Moses asked YaH His Name (Exodus 3)
Ancient Semitic Direct Translation
Yad - "Behold The Hand"
He - "Behold the Breath"
Vav - "Behold The NAIL"
I think that's a bit specious. The only reason the Merlin became a huge success was the ability of Packard and US production engineers, who could turn instructions into semi production lines. Logistics, the real god of war LOL Check out productivity of Packard over Rolls Royce. I bet most of the staff breathed a massive sigh of relief when the US production of variant engines began.
That is SO AWESOME !!! I could have listened to that engine run all day long. Wish i could have been there to witness it and feel the vibration.
Dennis Whitlock, love the sound of these engines!
There's nothing quite like the sound of "Merlin Music"!!
I've seen this engine in person but I'm pretty sure it was the previous owner because he never ran it!
VR A or the Lancaster that Jay references lives in Hamilton Ontario Canada (30 mins southwest of Toronto). She flies over my house every weekend in the summer and its a thing of pride to look up every weekend as we hear her arriving. Thanks to all the great men and women of that generation for the freedoms we have today.
I live just a few miles from the Derwent Dams in Derbyshire England. Every so often, when the weather permits, they fly a Lancaster over the dams in recognition of the incredible dam buster raid. The sound of those engines is just unbelievable. The actual raid was practiced at Derwent.
There is something special about Jay Leno.
There is nothing not to like about him! That's rare in Southern Cal "Here".
I've had a handful of friends run across him at:
Burger places, Mexican restaurants but nothing fancy and eating good ol' fashion food.
Not an uptight Hollywood type by a stretch. Love it!
Gotta be a great guy down to the bone. Thanks Jay! Your shows make me feel good!
My uncle was a Flight Officer (pilot) on a Lancaster bomber, from Brussels, Ontario, Canada, and was killed in action over the Baltic Sea in 1942 at the age of 21. My mother still remembered the man who came to inform the family that her brother had been killed...she was 9 years old. The Merlin does have a very distinctive sound, and I’ve visited the museum in Hamilton Jay speaks of in the video...Toronto is close to Hamilton. The Lancaster is something to experience...when they fly it, they “buzz” the museum, over an observation deck to put on a bit of a show, and it’s quite impressive. The museum is extensive with an impressive gift shop with many items covering a vast array of aircraft models, artwork, toys and memorabilia...well worth the price of admission. A flight in the Lancaster is $2500 I believe...maybe someday I’ll get a chance to go up in it. Thanks Jay for the mention of Canada’s contributions to the war effort by way of the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force)!!!
www.warplane.com
It was a shame Ike tricked PM King to shut down Avro. Their aircraft were as good or better than any U.S. military aircraft. A lot of the Avro personnel got sucked up into the U.S. military industrial complexes.
I saw that lancaster when they flew it from canada to the uk few years back...great to see 2 lancasters,hurricane and spitfire in the air
$3600 CAD for a Lancaster flight
@@robertrichard6107 It was Diefenbaker not King who was PM at the time of the Arrow being scrapped.
This is so so cool. Love Jay's passion and that he spends his money and time to bring aircraft, engines and cars back to life. Very few of these remaining and even fewer that are air worthy engines
Jay bought that engine ALL restored and running, what money can buy !!!
Spitfire, hurricane, mosquito, Lancaster,p-51 and then all the tanks fitted with the meteor, the Merlin engine without the supercharger, what an awesome engine!
P and W R-2800 was the greatest in my opinion. The P-47s smashed the Luftwaffe and killed the majority of their experienced pilots before the Merlin Mustangs arrived on the scene. It’s a common misconception that the Mustang beat the Luftwaffe but it was actually the Thunderbolt and it’s R-2800.
The mustang, too. It was a flying dirge until they put a Merlin in it.
The P-47 Thunderbolt "Jug" was so good in its role that the A-10 "Warthog" is actually the Thunderbolt II in its honor. Air Cooled Radials can take ground fire and keep flying on fewer cylinders. Liquid Cooled Engines like the equally fabulous Merlin and then the Griffin were liquid cooled and could fly stronger where the air was thinner but one good shot to the engine block would leak out any hope of more ground support.
The Radial and the Piston had their roles and they were reaching their maximum potential by late in the War. Ironically, Air Passenger Travel is well suited to a return to propeller driven aircraft given the lanes that airlines travel in and the lines for aircraft departures and arrivals at the airports. Their effective travel speed can be matched by a Mustang or Spitfire.
There is a limitless supply of electricity available by drilling (about the same distance we already drill for Oil) to use the heat of the Earth to Boil Water (and Nuclear Power Plants Boil Water to generate electricity). For you doubters, the reason we don't already is because what was once a Utility Service is now a for-profit business that purchased all the infrastructure for fractions of a penny on the dollar "thanks" to Ronald Reagan. Once you turn that into a business, they will protect their profits - remember when Oil Companies claimed for years that Electric Cars were "too slow"? (Or when Tobacco Companies claimed that Cigarettes were "safe"?)
Finally, a P-51 would certainly be used as needed however, Steven Spielberg is to blame for the P-51 CGI in his movie instead of P-47's.
▪
Griffon was auto "corrected" to Griffin. I will not be editing that comment.
The DB600 series is also really good, the first with fuel injection and ran on low octane fuel and yet met the later models BF109 faster then the P-51D mustang
I live minutes from the warplane heritage mesuem. They fly the Lancaster in the the spring and summer and into the fall. On Saturdays and Sundays. . . It a nice thing to hear it fly over.
I'd just like to thank Jay for preserving this and many pieces of priceless history.
I've never watched this show until now. The way that Mr. Leno talks about the engine is fantastic, going not just into detail about the type, but about his specific example, is amazing. This Merlin has been modified and he explains that, and talks about the unique features of it, as well as the variant components. Amazing!
Jay, I LOVE how you support everyone involved in your projects. Very cool of you.
This engine and the sound of it provokes pride and nostalgia here in the UK. I'm glad Jay appreciates what it means to us. I've actually sat in a Spitfire and it was one of the best things I've ever done.
Wow there's not many Spitfires left. I'd like to see one fly. Remember when they thought there were like forty of them buried in Burma from a delivery at the end of the war? It was a thing for a while in the eighties where they spent so much money digging and searching until someone finally got the bright idea to just check the delivery records and saw that they were just sent back to Britain and it wouldn't have been feasible to even dig that many huge holes in the first place.
The collective hours of engineering and level of craftsmanship in this piece of artwork is incredible.
It takes money to rebuild the old stuff. I'm happy that Jay is up to it. Keep it going Jay. Keep saving history.
35 years as a professional aircraft technician I'm truly impressed with Jay through knowledge of this magnificent engine and propeller..... Oh yeah im also a hardcore car guy too!!!!
Thank you for preserving this wonderful piece of history. The Merlin is a legend and one of the most important engines of all time. Couldn’t think of a better place for this one to be!
John Stonier, forgot the Hercules, griffon engines
Yeah, John! I agree. I feel like Jay takes great care of the things he collects. Is it strange to be proud of a guy I never met? I’m glad he has this engine. It’s safe with him.
To see and hear a spitfire flying past puts a lump in your throat. Unique.
The Spitfire/Hurricane/Mustang flybys are great, but you really want a Lanc with four of them thundering away as it passes. 108 litres and 48 cylinders? Yes, yes please.
soaringtractor Sorry, should I just trade another irrelevant fact?
ruclips.net/video/4iOoiEbtf2w/видео.html
^.^
soaringtractor your point being? Irrespective of where the engine was built it was a Merlin.
Thank You so much for preserving that great piece of history . What a beautiful machine . Also I want to wish you a speedy recovery . Thank you again .
Jay did not preserve that Merlin engine ! ! He BOUGHT it already ready to run !! What money buys !! !
Agreed.
Just amazing. Glad to see someone with the resources to keep these amazing engineering marvels alive.
The first time I saw a P51 Mustang in the wild was in Colorado. I was walking my dog one morning and heard a plane in the distance. I couldn't quite place the sound. It wasn't a modern engine and it wasn't a radial engine. After a bit, the Mustang goes screaming past on its approach to a regional airport 15 miles north of me. It was practically a religious experience.
We had one that would fly in to Winchester Regional Airport in the 90's Aldo. Wonder if it was the same plane. It was a D model and was immaculate. I'll always consider myself lucky to have gotten to see it.
Some years ago I was playing golf next to the airport at Janesville WI. While we were playing there two P-51's flying around together. Awesomely beautiful sound to listen to. Made it hard to focus on golf. But I didn't mind a bit. They were definitely Merlins.
Really nice to see Jay like a small child/mad scientist tweaking this thing to run. Such respect for his knowledge and passion.
He Is Unbelievable!!....Such a Knowledgeable Guy!!
One thing I'll never forget is waking up to two Lancaster bombers flying over the town I live in was something like a movie I knew I'd never see it again
The flying Canadian built one the MkX used the Packard, made in America version as did 3,040 of the Made in England Mk BIII.. FYI !! !
I'll guess that was when the Canadian Lanc came to the UK. Saw them together several times as I'm only about 10 miles from RAF Conningsby where they were based. Also saw them do the flypast with the Vulcan and Vera's send off back to Canada when she flew out of Conningsby with Thumper and all the Spit's and Hurricanes escorting!
@@steveparker1466 when the Vulcan bomber was doing it's last fly bys I was at east Midlands airport live side and I tell you what if you heard one of them going over you knew you was doomed
@Auschwitz Soccer Ref. Its obvious you German. Just remember you guys started the war and got what you deserved
I know
I'm fortunate to live between Falcon Field and Deer Valley municipal airports.
The AZ Commemorative Air Force Museum flies over Scottsdale.
Then the AH 64 is built in mesa.
I have one.
I love it.
😊
Guy Martin has a Merlin engine, if you watch his video he explains how he ran it at 2800 rpm and it took off and took out a wall, recommend looking for the video
Gareth Stroud cool, I just said the same, guys took off a demolished a wall in his workshop.
ruclips.net/video/wJ9aO5yvT3k/видео.html
Who is having the most fun?
@@UAPJedi is that the time he talks about his boss not being too chuffed lol
Sean McGuigan that’s the one!
Thanks Jay. . We appreciate your great efforts to preserve these wonderful machines xx
Dang, I stumbled across Guy Martin's video of his prized Merlin engine after watching his winning Pikes Peak motorcycle run. This Engine wasn't even on my radar, and yet is so fascinating. Jay you really brought it to life for me breaking it all down with describing each component and how they all tie in together along with the history of not only this engine but the 4 engine bomber. My Dad had a strong fascination for planes that used these engines when he was in the Air Force but he didn't pass that on to me the way you just did. Thanks for the gift, you're an inspiration to me to research more.
Thanks for the video ..My friend Mate that lived in England when he was a young man talked about the engine and the Spit Fire what a beautiful plane it was.
In this crazy upside down world; Jay Leno is a shining example of Stability. His support of Craftsmanship is Very Much appreciated. THANK YOU Jay Leno !
Proud to be Canadian!
Thx for the shoutout Jay.
Jay ' love your Channel
As a Brit , when I hear that engine make my Battle of Britain blood tingle :)
Total respect to you Sir '
Me too, Gerry. The war years were long over when I was born, but I was raised with the respect, love and affection for the Lancaster bomber that my parents, and others of their generation, felt, which was mixed with gratitude and sorrow for the bravery (and loss) of so many young men from so many countries who came and flew in them to battle. There is no finer or moving sight than to see a Lancaster bomber flying overhead (on its way to an airshow these days thankfully!), usually alongside the equally iconic Spitfire fighter plane, and to hear the deep growl of those wonderful Rolls-Royce Merlin engines.
@@yvonnewalesuk8035 I have just been watching the last Vulcan flying on RUclips and to think both had fundamental design input from the same man, Roy Chadwick and not that many years apart indeed, still astounds me. Amazing advances during this period.
Man that made me smile I was grinning big ear to ear to watch and hear that engine come up. Thanks Mr. Leno!
Jay's knowledge of this engine is amazing. Call him Professor Leno.
He is no slouch when it comes to the mechanical details of anything he owns and surely what he doesn't own.
idid Yerman He has many of his "Facts" wrong !!!! He just has a big mouth !!!!
Thank you Mr. Leno for keeping our mechanical history alive you are truly a hero in my book
I love the fact that he uses 3d-scanners and 3d-printers to create parts.
I use his videos in my 3d-printing class at the high school where I teach.
Thank you for your inspiration Jay!
I have always been impressed with Jay'sj passion and knowledge of engines and vehicles.
Yes, I'm impressed that he knows this (one of his hundreds or motors) in this sufficient detail. Really cool.
I'm an ex aircraft mechanic It was nice to hear somebody that knows what they're talking about. Good job Jay....nice engine!
My Dad flew 55 missions with RAF Bomber Command in the Merlin-engined Halifax.
Halifax had radial engines, you probably mean the Lancaster, that one was similar to the Halifax, but had 4 Merlins instead of the 4 Centaurus 18 cylinders.
My grandfather flew with messerschmidt me262
Such a knowledgeable guy and down to earth and he can actually speak in a coherent manner all you young you tube bloggers take note from this legend thumbs up from me 🏍️☺️
If the last 2 generations would just choose a direction to explore and go full bore into it. Take a moment to review if your choice fits. Then go full speed in that direction or another. But, energize your life, don't sit and wait for life to come to you.
Impress yourself, and don't be judgemental, be positive.
"The Merlin section of my garage." Mr. Leno, you are indeed living the dream. Good on you, sir.
Watching Jay tweek the controls makes me appreciate his extensive knowledge on the workings of very sophisticated engines.
He’s literally reading instructions from his iPad though lol.
@@MrSteveo114 it's a check list even pilots use one
Even with a checklist he didn't do it right
Keith Ling it took him forever to even touch the mixture knob. It would’ve
been started a long time ago if he would’ve actually known what he was doing
@@Blitzaviation Cringeworthy! Massive respect for this man and his love for anything that runs on fuel! But unfortunately, showing off you know all the parts of the engine and finally you don't know how to start it is just painful to see..
He brings tears to my eyes! Thank you
What incredible piece of engineering I’ve been fascinated by the merlin engines for my dad tell me about him in the second world war he was a flight engineer on a B 24 but I saw my first Merlin on a P 51 Mustang just incredible thank you so much for sharing what a beauty I turn my speaker on full blast so I could feel it wonderful
I've always loved Jay Leno & what I like the most about him is seeing the pride he takes in his collection & cars, I love how he talks about them & describes why there so special to him. You can see the pride & joy he takes in his passions, over all the is a very well rounded amazing person. Congrats Jay
I'm not frequently amazed by things but when I see this type of machine I am amazed at the complexity and accomplishment that engineering made with pen and paper and slide rules during the time when computers weren't available. I had the same thought when I toured the Werner Von Braun museum at the space center in Huntsville Alabama and saw the Apollo space capsule. Amazing! Jay, thanks for sharing.
Not only that. It's those engineers' deep understanding of classical thermodynamics, which even now gets the job done and involves some pretty meaty math(s)!
I have watched several other large engines start after being cold like this... not one idled as smoothly.
. unbelievable balance... they are a work of art... thank you sir for your efforts 🙏
Well said, Richard. Poetry in motion!
Richard Carew Vintage V12 out of California built that engine for Jay !!!!!!
Jay you’re my idol! To have all the toys is one thing. But KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT THE TOYS is a person I admire
I'll second that
absolutely , its great that he shares this with us all ,thanks jay ! from ireland
During WW11, I was a child, but I remember the sound of those Merlins as they flew over our house. Something comforting prevailed in the shy as they flew. Maybe it was because they were our planes and the overpowering force emitted from them represented the soul of our country, THEN.
ww11? damn... you must be time traveler from future
The sound of the rolls Royce Merlin engine is one of my Desert Island Discs. There was a former training Spitfire (two-seater) based at the old Bentwaters airbase in Suffolk. I have fond memories of cycling in the countryside near Bentwaters and hearing that wonderful engine. A few years ago outsiders who'd moved to the area near Bentwaters complained about the noise the Spitfire made; they'd obviously never lived close to an operational airbase. They started a petition to get the Sptfire's flying times restricted but the locals told them to get stuffed.
Didn't know there was a ww11
Always loved your passion for all things mechanical. I continue to absolutely enjoy your channel. I've watched your P1 video many times because I can totally relate to your happiness with the car and what your experience means. It shows in a way that a mere RUclips video doesn't mean to most. Thank you Jay, you're a gentleman and are my personal definition of a Car Guy! May all your roads lead you safely back home, Steveo G.
my old man flew 26 missions as a rear gunner in a Lancaster, I still have his dog tags.
One of my favourite things that makes it my favourite WW2 bomber and plane overall is the gun turrets.
Good man. Kudos to your dad for his contribution.
My grandfather worked on these engines during the war
My uncle was also a "tail end Charlie" in a Lancaster but was sadly shot down and killed over Holland. He was the lone Englishman in an otherwise Canadian crew. Dutch people to this day tend their graves.
@@davidread7492 His ultimate price for our freedom won't be forgotten and we/ the Dutch are -and will remain- very grateful for it.
As someone lucky enough to be overflown by that Lancaster fairly regularly, the sound is unbelievable. I know the sound miles away. I cannot imagine the terror of the sound of a whole squadron on their way to bomb me.
So happy there are guys like Jay Leno. That’s true person in every respect
Thank you Mr. Leno for preserving history and sharing it with us! 🙏🏽
I applaud you Jay for sharing your collection and being funny and willing to hang in there on the multiple starts. Priming is a touchy thing on these vintage engines.
That Lancaster flies over my parents house in Selkirk Ontario a few times a year. The museum is worth a visit.
I count my blessings to have been able to see the Canadian Lanc fly in the UK with ours a few years back. Eight Merlins roaring in unison. The song of freedom.
Thank you Canada for keeping another of these amazing machines in the air.
My dad always talked about how that was the one engine for aviation that certainly win the war. Thank you for sharing it with us!
Well it certainly did indeed win the war simply because without it the war would already have been lost (for Western powers) before it could have been won. Any winner would have been called either Russia or Germany.
A stubborn beauty to start, but once she popped it was the sound of victory 🥰
Hard start was operator error, he does NOT know what the ell he is doing !!!
@@wilburfinnigan2142 That's how you learn my friend. That's why the pilots had to undergo HCU training during WW2.
@@wilburfinnigan2142why don’t you go on down there and show him how it’s done with your own Merlin
Yeah, but when the Dragon awakes, the ground is shakin'
Jay your a man after my own heart! As a retired foreign car mechanic i love engines and love the merlin! My favorite old Warbird is the P51! Thanks for the look!
Thank you Jay for being this awesome!
That is one of the best sounding most powerful engine's I've seen it was truly stunning and I appreciate and approve of the Merlin 1650. Thanks Jay for letting us see and hear it.
The Allison made as much or more HP at sea level !!! Check the specs
@@wilburfinnigan2142 Depends which Merlin you compare it to… Packard Merlin’s? Maybe. Later war British 2,300 HP ones…. Nope. Plus air combat doesn’t happen around sea level. It happens at 25k ft where a two stage supercharger makes all the difference and the Merlin can perform to its top capability - and where the Allison flops.
@@BryanJohnson4891 Late War BF109 engine was far better got as high as 2800 hp and was super charged and electronically fuel injected and controlled first engine in the world with computerization and built during ww2 under wartime conditions and they built more BF109 than all the other ww2 fighters combined. Its the most produced fighter in history.
@@pilsplease7561 It wasn’t computerised - that was the FW190, and it certainly wasn’t putting out 2,800 HP - the massively larger expertly designed PW 2800 could just squeeze that with 150 octane fuel. It could get a few hundred HP lower with H2O/Methanol injection, but this was a massive risk to the engine. In practise it never went close to this as it used slide bearings and awful synthetic lubricants. Nowhere near 2800 mate - same displacement as the griffon but worse design and fuel. No replacement for displacement!
Love the sound of the Merlin Engine! Been lucky to have seen many Merlin engines fly in Spitfires, Hurricanes, P51 Mustangs, P40F. Also been lucky to have seen our Lancaster here in the UK fly alongside CWHM's Lancaster FM213
Thanks for mentioning one of Canada's roles during WWII
Clinton W They deserve it, and a lot more where the main power's taken the center stage Canadians went about doing their duty..
+Peder Hansen
The US was also fighting Japan in the Pacific. US policy was Germany first, so if the Soviets hadn't been in the war the US could've sent Pacific resources to Europe (minus a holding force).... But the war would've taken a lot longer.
Clinton W F/O Archie Ulry was my great uncle from Olds Alberta and flew about 20 combat missions in Spitfire Mk.V's. Was transferred later into Ferry command was killed in October 1944 after he flew an Oxford into power cables.
Britain was also fighting the Japanese, in fact in 1943 Britain had more forces in Europe and fighting the Japanese than USA did.
Barrie Rodliffe Japanese nearly took over India. The hodgepodge of forces from the British Commonwealth, United States and Chinese that stop them. Hell you can never forget the actions done by gurkhas earning Victoria crosses in the Burma campaign....
Now think about the 20- 25 year old pilots that flew these planes in wartime under hostile fire and just trying to do their missions and stay alive. Never forget. Thanks Jay.
Some were as young as 18 I believe. There of course were a number of cases of people lying about their age to sign up, with I believe a 14 year old being in the merchant marine.
And they didn't even have an I-phone, pink hair, hoodie, back-to-front baseball cap, body peircings, etc.
Just how did they do it?
@@gone547 Exactly, just pure men.
My grandfathers who was 16 🗿
@@gone547 I think most youth today would step up tho, it’s a vary small percentage of them that are into things you say, I really hope they never have to, every generation has its challenges you gotta remember some worse then others, if I had a choice between war’s WW1 or WW2 I’d go WW2. WW1 was an absolute blood bath with gut turning conditions they had to live in
We Brit’s are very proud of the Merlin engine, it has a sound like no other, even go as far to say, that engine won the war in the sky
I agree Michael. I love the sound of the Merlin as well ! "Purr's like a kitten...ROARS like a lion" !...(c) I have always said.
You need to hear a Bristol Centaurus and a Napier Sabre. I've heard 'em all (except the Sabre) IRL and the 18 cylinder Centaurus is the best. There are no Sabres flying so I can't claim to have heard one in the flesh but one is being restored in the UK. They hope to have it flying in about three years from now:
ruclips.net/video/EnV_VzFrceU/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/Fo0Lv1S3RfQ/видео.html
The Napier Sabre was a 24 cylinder "hyper" engine, hence its unique sound. Both were sleeve valve designs. Both were good for 2,400 hp and more.
After that the Merlin doesn't seem that special.
And flying overhead, brings a tear to the eye, and an intense pang of nostalgia for a braver era...
There's nothing like the sound of a Merlin. You should be proud!
TheThirdMan they have a nice example at the science museum aero hall. 24 cylinder H pattern goodness. Would love to see a RR vulture too, as used in the Manchester/hawker tornado
I truly love the fact that, no matter how sophisticated or how unusual the vehicle, no matter how incredibly expensive, no matter how old or off-the-showroom-floor, every post is on the subject of what a sincere man Jay is. Gotta love that !
My Dad was a WW2 era mechanic 46-48 in the Army Airforce of the day. I am a proud son!
So was I and tested them in flight,wild😣😮
That engine belongs in a mustang. That engine is the money pit.
Leno's knowledge and love of the engine is impressive
09.27 Lancaster bomber VERA came over to the UK. Amazing sound of 8 Merlins on 2 Aircraft.
Back in the 1960's saw these engines being scrapped, such a shame. They are Kings of the V12's. I loved driving a series three XKE with the 5.3L V12. From the first drawning of a merlin I wanted to be a engineer.
My Dad joined the RAF (from Australia) and piloted 2 tours in Lancasters during WWII. Grateful to know I can still get a ride on one. #BucketList
I've been to that wartime museum in Hamilton a couple times. To see that Lancaster was really something.
Please go up to Toronto and ride in the bomber and put the video up on this channel. I'd love to see that and doubt I'd ever be able to go so I'll live vicariously through you
He would have to go to Hamilton not Toronto
Jay meant Hamilton, Ontario not Toronto as previously mentioned! :)
For anyone in another country, you probably have to fly into "Toronto", Pearson Airport is on the border of Toronto and Mississauga, and is the international airport serving the region. Once through customs you can pick up a rental car to drive for 30 to 45 minutes to Hamilton. It's pretty easy, just follow the shore of the lake west. The other way would be to fly to Buffalo, New York, pick up a rental car there, then cross the border into Canada, perhaps at the Peace Bridge, and follow the highway north to Hamilton.
If you are going to live vicariously, check this video [ruclips.net/video/pMPQk24uFF8/видео.html] Peter Mansbridge was a CBC news anchor, he took the flight and provided a lot of background in the video. There are other videos that will come up in the sidebar that probably have more actual flying in the plane.
I love the cars, motors, and timeline of automotive technology that Jay and his team have collected, re-built, maintained, and brought back from the brink to shine again. It is the ultimate compliment to say that Jay is the original car enthusiast/lover. Thanks for everything.
PS, I love the blueprint schematic framed prints. That’s art to me
aviationshoppe.com/rolls-royce-merlin-20-series-p-254.html
(Jay Leno had them framed)
Andrew Lang A@1
So knowledgeable, it's amazing how much Jay knows about every one of his items.
All you need now is a P51D that needs an engine. That's the coolest thing you've got, thanks for sharing...
Or a Lanc, or a Halifax, or a Spitfire or a Hurricane, or a Mosquito.....
crashaxearmory except the Mustang NEVER used that version of the Merlin........neither did the spitfire, lanc's, hurrycanes and mossies did though !!!! PACKARD provided 37,137 merlins to the Brits !!!
@@duanerutherford9033 spitfire did NOT use a PACKARD built version of this engine, the spitfire MkXVI did use the Packard built 266 version as the only spitfire model to use a PACKARD Merlin !!!!
@@wilburfinnigan2142 I never made a distinction between the Rolls Royce original version and the Packard version. I know that the Spitfire used the Rolls Royce Merlin, and that the p51 used the Packard. I wasn't aware of the later model crossover. Either way, I stand by my twenty year opinion that the Merlin (both versions) was a deciding factor in the war.
@@duanerutherford9033 Also EVERY engine in the war was a deciding factor !!!! Hell there were 14,000 P40's 9,000 P38s. 8000 P39's/63's used in the war and those all were a deciding factor, along with the 200,000 plus PW R1820's the 180,000 Wright R1830's and the 128,000 R2800 PW's !!!! ALL of those engines dwarfs the 150,000 merlins made !!! Its all in the Numbers !!!!
This was an awesome engine. It pleases me that you have a running example. Thank you for sharing.
I did my military service @ Pansartruppskolan in Skövde Sweden. We had British Centurion Tanks from the 50ies, with the 27 litres Rolls-Royce Merlin Engine in them. Before starting them we had to start the Morris 4-cyl engine that turned the generator.
Our engines were artificially limited to 650 HP but still with a torque of 2'200 Nm.
I thought you made your own tanksin Sweden...with Scania engines? ;-)
Anyway, the Centurion tanks probably had the RR Meteor engine...basically a Merlin without the supercharger.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls-Royce_Meteor
Ah ok, possible, no supercharger anyway as far as I remember. Running on gasoline it consumed up to 40 l/km when it was wet and muddy.
>RR Meteor engine...basically a Merlin without the supercharger.
While the meteor engine was originally based on the merlin, they drifted far apart in design and aren't the same internally. The meteor crankshaft turns clockwise vs the merlins' counter clockwise, the pistons are cast instead of forged and many parts which were made of aluminum were switched to steel/iron because weight was less of a concern.
The Meteor was designed to be tractible, in motor vehicles. That requires a different design spec to an aero engine which is designed to produce power at a constant rpm. Different cam profile for starers.
Centurion tanks used griffon 63 or 65 engines...
A beast of a machine. Jay, thanks for waking her up for us
Bless Jay and anyone that maintains and restores these pieces of history that played such an important part in liberating my parents and grandparents.
liberating? with tons of bombs on civilians?
The old saying goes"money can't buy happiness". Well it can sure buy you a perfectly restored Merlin 1650-1 engine. And Jay looks pretty fuckin happy to me.
Got that right 👍🏼
Good comment, except no need to be vulgar.
I love watching your videos, thanks on behalf of all Canadians for your kind words with regards to our great contribution in World War II. Cheers Jay
I have heard about Jay's Garage but somehow have missed the videos. This one was so cool because my dad flew the Lancaster in WWII. Now I want to visit that museum...but will have to make due on a cheaper flight than the Lancaster unless we win the lottery. I am thankful for Jay having this hobby and sharing it with people. It was easy to see from his show, he likes people. God bless you Jay Leno! You certainly have class that the others can't seem to grab hold of.