What was the Merlin engine used in?

The Merlin engine was used in forty aircraft during World War Two but it is primarily associated with the Supermarine Spitfire, Hurricane Hurricane, Avro Lancaster bomber and the de Havilland Mosquito. The Merlin was also used to upgrade the power of the previously underpowered P51 Mustang used by the USAAF.

Was the P-51 Mustang Supercharged?

The definitive version, the P-51D, was powered by the Packard V-1650-7, a license-built version of the two-speed, two-stage-supercharged Merlin 66, and was armed with six .50 caliber (12.7 mm) AN/M2 Browning machine guns. After the Korean War, Mustangs became popular civilian warbirds and air racing aircraft.

Did Packard make Merlin engines?

In September 1940 the Packard Co. agreed to build the Merlin engine for both the American and the British governments, and adapted it for American mass-production methods. The first two Packard-built Merlins to be completed were demonstrated on test stands at a special ceremony at the Packard plant in Detroit on Aug.

What does P stand for in P-51?

pursuit
In 1948, the designation P-51 (P for pursuit) was changed to F-51 (F for fighter) and the existing F designator for photographic reconnaissance aircraft was dropped because of a new designation scheme throughout the USAF.

Can a Merlin engine fit in a P-51?

With successful retrofits of a Merlin engine into a P-51 from both sides of the Atlantic, orders were place for the new Mustangs, NA-102, NA-103, NA-104, the P-51B and P-51C. These retrofits first flew in October (RAF) and November (USAAF) of 1942.

What problems did the P-51 have?

Problems for the P-51B and C models included poor visiblity towards the rear and gun jamming during high G manuevers. The RAF found the best solution (at the time) for the visibility issue was installing a “Malcolm Hood” which was a bubble type canopy around the pilot’s area of the birdcage.

How fast can a P-51 outrun?

The new Merlin powered Mustang could outrun an Allison P-51 by 100 mph at 30,000 feet. The USAAF finally saw the advantage of having this fighter on its team and ordered 2,200 P-51Bs. Max speed was 437 mph at 25,000 feet. Gross weight was increased to 11,200 lbs. for the -1 block and 11,600 thereafter. Now NAA was really cooking.

What kind of engine does a P-51B have?

The engine would be the Packard built Rolls Royce Merlin 61, V-1650-3 which was rated more than 490 HP more than the Allison V-1710 at 25,000 feet! Other mods included in the P-51B were increased loads to 1,000 lbs under each wing, no more nose mounted guns (no room with the Merlin) and a redesigned belly scoop.