Merlin engine pics.

RE: Merlin engine pics.

Well, that’s the age old argument again isn’t it, ‘live’ airframes in museums that can at least run their motors, rather than sitting in the half-gloom (Yes, I’m talking about you, Hendon!!!) and collecting dust. The answer to that of course is money, money, money, with a little bit of ‘Whoops, we’ve sealed our aircraft indoors now’ added in to the mix.

I’ve often mentioned this here, but I well remember the Me410 and Fw190 running their engines on airshow mornings at St Athan-now one is at Hendon, and one is at Cosford, both dead as doornails. Why, for God’s sake? And need I mention ‘Black 6’?!

RE: Merlin engine pics.

Thats another good idea Merlin , most aircraft in museums are flight worthy so having some engine rigs and running engines would certain brighten things up and make the museums a bit more active.
On another point , have you been following Uncle Keith’s technical posts , I think it would be a great idea to ask Flypast to let Keith have a monthly Technical feature , as I’m going to build a kit just shortly I find them very interesting , I have written them all out for future reference. My wife thinks I’m an anorak !!.

Alastair

RE: Merlin engine pics.

I had the pleasure of hearing this beast start up a few weeks ago when the museum had their open doors day which was mobbed. (this is because its free on that day)

I had heard it roar and then just as we got to it he hit the kill switch. At this I was slightly miffed as there is normally an hour or so between runs. A crowd formed round the engine which was behind barriers I might add but you got fairly close to it. There were small children at the barrier and then ……………..

He started it up just as we got to the barrier I had my own 12 year old with me and he doesnt like noisy things either. All the children dropped to their bellies and hid behind their parents and mine just stood there with his fingers in his ears. looking on as if to say what all the fuss about just put your fingers in your ears.

We were standing directly behind and the shot of flames thatcame out the stacks was amazing as to also was the prop wash. Even though it a test prop it can still blast you away. it was sitting at idle and then he put it up to half and then all the way to as much of the full throttle as he could or was allowed to and then back down to idle.

It was just GREAT.

Cant wait until the next time I see it.

Merlin

RE: Merlin engine pics.

Lancman

I had the same idea also but alas I have no money to implement the plan. Indeed I dont even have any engines.

I have also had the idea that you could have a set of running engines to start up at shows. Say a Clerget (spelling) a Daimler Benz , Merlin, Hercules, Griffon, Alison (sorry if this is wrong) and something like a Rotax just to give people the idea of how differently all these different engines perform.

Regards Merlin.

RE: Merlin engine pics.

Excellent idea mate , you could easily make it transportable put wheels under the centre section and the tow hitch where the tailwheel would be !! , imagine passing that on the motorway ! , am I right in saying that there is a company selling Spitfire fuselage frames and panels ?? , where would you get an engine mount ? , instrument panel is no probs ? , I wonder if you could tow it on it’s undercarriage , Lancman this sounds like a project for you !!! , you could hang it from the pub ceiling during the winter.Mega.
Alastair

RE: Merlin engine pics.

What a great set-up!

I guess it would be scuppered by all sorts of health and safety rules, but I’ve always thought a superb idea for shows would be to have a real- perhaps de-tuned- Merlin fitted into a good replica Spit fuselage, all on a large trailer behind decent barriers, with Joe Public being able to pay a reasonable fee to get in and start the thing up himself for a few minutes. I bet we’d all queue for tickets for that one! What do you all reckon?!

RE: Merlin engine pics.

Good photos mate , I like the trailer , imagine firing that up on the A1 !!!

RE: Merlin engine pics.

Sorry the image quality is a little grainy. I had to compress the file to make it under the 100 kb rule.

Merlin