P-40
Hello Gents and Ladies… I don’t usually get involved with these types of discussions, as I usually bow out to my more learned colleagues, but for this I will make an exception. Donovan Berlin, chief designer for the P-36/40 series wanted the Merlin for the P-40. True….but he did not get the version of the Merlin that he wanted………He got a Packard built -1. A SINGLE stage, two speed blower……… essentially the same engine already installed (Allison). He wanted the same engine as the P-51B. A Packard built -3…. A TWO stage, two speed blower…… The “F” and “L” models both were built with Merlins… performance was roughly the same, with the Merlin having a slight edge at around 12-15,000 ft (off the top of my head). I remember seeing a taped interview with Stephen Grey, asking him about the P-40. His thought on the airplane was this…. In HIS opinion, if the P-40 would have had the same engine as the P-51B/C/D, the airplane would have had at least a 400mph/plus top speed at altitude. Taking shelter in Texas…. Alan
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