Thank you for sharing these little gems, the historical snippets that reminds us just what went into these superb engines, the people who built them and those who flew and depended those Merlin’s. I served a a medic at a new RAF hospital in Wegberg Germany during the mid 1950’s. I heard many stories from the other side, too many sad ones. Again, Greetings from Tasmania Australia.👍🛠😁🇦🇺🦘
I must say Peter, you're making a superb job with this series of videos. Most of us watching have long admired the results of your skill and tenacity so its great to have this insight.
A Mark XX would be a USA built Packard product. Mark IIX and beyond were 90%+ Packard built. Only Packard built Merlins would last more than 4 take-offs and 50 hours in a British "Heavy Bomber". The short flight-time of Merlins in Spitfires led to the creation of the "Griffin" and not-used sleeve-valve Rolls-Royce "Mistal" engines. RR named their areo engines after Birds of Prey, then after "Wizards".
Thanks for commenting, but there are a few misunderstandings. - Merlin XX engines were only produced by Rolls-Royce at UK plants; the first XX was manufactured on 4th July 1940. In August 1940 Packard received the drawings of the Merlin XX for basing their engine production on. Packard's first Merlin was the V1650-1 (UK designated the Merlin 28) and ran in August 1941, with the first production engine running in early October 1941. - I do not understand what a "Mark IIX and beyond were 90%+ Packard built" means. Of all the Merlin engine manufactured, 31 percent were built by Packard. - Regarding 4 takeoffs and 50 hours, I do not recognise this information. Merlin XX first maintenance is 50 hours and major maintenance at 250 hours. The attrition loss rate meant many engines never received major maintenance. (Early Lancasters suffered 50% loss rates). - The Griffon (sp 'Griffin') has no relation to the Merlin, with entirely different heritage. The Griffon was a more powerful engine and was required at a time when the late mark Spitfires were 50% heavier than the original, 100mph faster and carried more fuel and cannons. - RR aero piston engines were usually names after birds of prey. (RR jet engines named after rivers).
Fantastic story behind that engine.
Thank you for sharing these little gems, the historical snippets that reminds us just what went into these superb engines, the people who built them and those who flew and depended those Merlin’s. I served a a medic at a new RAF hospital in Wegberg Germany during the mid 1950’s. I heard many stories from the other side, too many sad ones. Again, Greetings from Tasmania Australia.👍🛠😁🇦🇺🦘
awesome!!! glad you managed to uncover the engines past. :) thanks for sharing (earned my sub)
Excellent series of videos.As a retired garage owner and mechanic I find these videos give me a much needed "fix" 😂Thank you Peter.
I must say Peter, you're making a superb job with this series of videos. Most of us watching have long admired the results of your skill and tenacity so its great to have this insight.
Gonya mate. Top and worthy job. Go well
A Mark XX would be a USA built Packard product. Mark IIX and beyond were 90%+ Packard built. Only Packard built Merlins would last more than 4 take-offs and 50 hours in a British "Heavy Bomber". The short flight-time of Merlins in Spitfires led to the creation of the "Griffin" and not-used sleeve-valve Rolls-Royce "Mistal" engines. RR named their areo engines after Birds of Prey, then after "Wizards".
Thanks for commenting, but there are a few misunderstandings.
- Merlin XX engines were only produced by Rolls-Royce at UK plants; the first XX was manufactured on 4th July 1940. In August 1940 Packard received the drawings of the Merlin XX for basing their engine production on. Packard's first Merlin was the V1650-1 (UK designated the Merlin 28) and ran in August 1941, with the first production engine running in early October 1941.
- I do not understand what a "Mark IIX and beyond were 90%+ Packard built" means. Of all the Merlin engine manufactured, 31 percent were built by Packard.
- Regarding 4 takeoffs and 50 hours, I do not recognise this information. Merlin XX first maintenance is 50 hours and major maintenance at 250 hours. The attrition loss rate meant many engines never received major maintenance. (Early Lancasters suffered 50% loss rates).
- The Griffon (sp 'Griffin') has no relation to the Merlin, with entirely different heritage. The Griffon was a more powerful engine and was required at a time when the late mark Spitfires were 50% heavier than the original, 100mph faster and carried more fuel and cannons.
- RR aero piston engines were usually names after birds of prey. (RR jet engines named after rivers).