Went to see a wreckology outfit the other day , and i was shown a very nice Merlin from a Spitfire dig ( crashed in WW11).
The engine had a large painted yellow X marked on the front of the engine block, and i was told this was on the engine when it was dug out.Nobody had any idea about its origin , or had ever seen a similar mark.
Why was the cross there ?
Factory marking ?
Servicing marking ?
Crash crew marking ?
Any clues out there, or pictures of undressed engines with similar marks ?
By: Bluebird Mike - 12th January 2004 at 10:00
D’oh, of course!
By: bluecorsair - 12th January 2004 at 05:33
Merlins came out of the factory (RR and american)
painted all black. The reason they are painted grey or red or whatever now, is because finding oil leaks on an all black engine is a nighmare.
By: Bluebird Mike - 11th January 2004 at 22:27
I can’t help with the original query here, but I’m kinda fascinated by the way Merlins are variously painted; many are black, some natural metal, the BBMF seem to have some bluey/grey ones-any particular reasoning for this? Mk? Batch No.? Owner’s whim?
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January 11, 2004 at 9:03 pm