Question for Eric
Discussion
Hi Eric
I've read the Spanish tried to build them under license during the war but the Germans couldn't supply themselves with enough let alone any more.
When were the Spanish Hispano Aviación HA-1109's built with Merlin engines and why?
Did they perform any better than the original?
Thanks
I've read the Spanish tried to build them under license during the war but the Germans couldn't supply themselves with enough let alone any more.
When were the Spanish Hispano Aviación HA-1109's built with Merlin engines and why?
Did they perform any better than the original?
Thanks
I think there were lots and lots of surplus Merlin engines after the end of WW2 so it made sense for the UK to export as many as they could as we were desperately short of currency.
The Italians also used the Merlin in one of their last piston fighters/trainers, the FIAT G59.
The G59 was a Merlin powered version of the G55 which, like the 109, had been fitted with the Daimler Benz.
It seems that any aircraft that had been fitted with the DB family of engines was eminently suitable to be powered by the Merlin as well.
The Italians also used the Merlin in one of their last piston fighters/trainers, the FIAT G59.
The G59 was a Merlin powered version of the G55 which, like the 109, had been fitted with the Daimler Benz.
It seems that any aircraft that had been fitted with the DB family of engines was eminently suitable to be powered by the Merlin as well.
It was even used in an RAF trainer - the Bolton Paul Balliol.
Originally, the aircraft was supposed to have been powered by an Armstrong Siddeley Mamba turboprop but because of all the surplus Merlins the Air Ministry (probably on Treasury insistence ) made Bolton Paul redesign the aircraft to take the Merlin.
Originally, the aircraft was supposed to have been powered by an Armstrong Siddeley Mamba turboprop but because of all the surplus Merlins the Air Ministry (probably on Treasury insistence ) made Bolton Paul redesign the aircraft to take the Merlin.
Eric Mc said:
It was even used in an RAF trainer - the Bolton Paul Balliol.
Originally, the aircraft was supposed to have been powered by an Armstrong Siddeley Mamba turboprop but because of all the surplus Merlins the Air Ministry (probably on Treasury insistence ) made Bolton Paul redesign the aircraft to take the Merlin.
Amazing how 'pointy' they've made that. Most other installations have (to my eye) a much flatter top profile.Originally, the aircraft was supposed to have been powered by an Armstrong Siddeley Mamba turboprop but because of all the surplus Merlins the Air Ministry (probably on Treasury insistence ) made Bolton Paul redesign the aircraft to take the Merlin.
Dr Jekyll said:
HoHoHo said:
It's amazing the Merlin seemed to fit so well into various airframes designed for a completely different power plant.
To put it another way, how many problems could be solved by sticking a Merlin (or 2, or 4) in.Steve_W said:
Often wondered what the Westland Whirlwind would have been like with merlins instead of (I think) peregrines. Bit too much like the Mossie perhaps?
It was considered but part of the reason the Whirlwind was such a good performer was the low frontal area of the Peregrine engines. I saw a model someone had made of a Whirlwind with Merlin engines off a Mosquito and it looked very strange.Later in the war 'slimline' Merlins were available but by then there were P51s for the escort fighter role. So no need for the Whirlwind.
Steve_W said:
Dr Jekyll said:
HoHoHo said:
It's amazing the Merlin seemed to fit so well into various airframes designed for a completely different power plant.
To put it another way, how many problems could be solved by sticking a Merlin (or 2, or 4) in.Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff