Only 30,000 or so. 🙂

I wouldn’t know about the relative merits of RR and Packard. A recently deceased ex-RAF engine fitter complained bitterly about the Packard, but, (a) he was a grumpy old s*d, and (b) I’ve never heard of anybody else complaining. As an aside, I understand the toolkit supplied with the Packard engines was superb.

However, there were problems when Ford were asked to make the Merlin at Trafford Park. They said they couldn’t make them, Rolls-Royce said “Not surprised. Tolerances too tight for you?” Ford said “No, the opposite. Far too lax, everything would have to be individually matched”. I can’t look up the exact details at the moment, the book(s) I think it’s in are still with the estate of the aforementioned grumpy old s*d.

Further to the above, the Merlin was re-drawn to motor industry tolerances. I would assume, with the Ford production coming first, it’s likely that the revised drawings were sent to Packard.
If so it’s probable that the Packard was built to tighter tolerances.

I know Kev’s a native, so to speak, but I’ll consult the Good Beer Guide.

Originally posted by JDK
One of my fave Spit schemes – the one of the BBMF 19s in the prototype 19 scheme. 10/10 for originality.

IIRC, it was the prototype MkXIV scheme. I argued with the guide at Coningsby when he said it was a MkXVI scheme. He dragged me into the office after the tour finished and found I was right.
Unless there were two similar, of course.

Sorry, I still don’t like them. I have a soft spot for the Mk21, though I’ve never seen one in the flesh.

Originally posted by Flood
Anybody brave enough to volunteer the ugliest Spitfire varient?;)

Flood.

All the lowbacks, and even worse with the gigantic tail. Note I’m talking appearance here, not what I’d want to be in if nasty people were shooting at me.
That’s assuming I could be taught to fly an aeroplane, of course.

3. Was it supposed to be non-stop?
“In 1923, Lieutenant Oakley Kelly and Lieutenant John A Macready made the first non-stop transcontinental flight from New York to California.”