Thought it about time for an addition to the old Hall of Fame. Not a person this time but a bit of hardware. 27 litre V-12, liquid cooled, 740HP (prototype) to 2060HP (130/1 version). May not have had the sheer grunt of the later RR Griffon, Napier Sabre or the Bristol Centaurus but the ROLLS-ROYCE MERLIN was THE engine of the early years of WWII and without it the RAF would have been up the proverbial creek with only a prayer for a paddle. Powered more aircraft types than I can mention here but the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster spring to mind first. Also, of course, is the Packard 1650 which was the licence built version the other side of the Atlantic - the P-51 Mustang only came into its own at altitude when this engine was fitted (same for the P-40).
Pratt and Who?, Alliwhat?? =)
You forgot the best part... the NOISE!!
ReplyDeleteToo true - nothing quite like that V-12 starting up (or perhaps an early turbojet like the Goblin in a Vampire doing a low pass overhead - a distinctive whistle to make the spine tingle!!)
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