Spitfire engines
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Spitfire engines
Hi,
Me and my mate were having a discussion. So please vote for the engine you think is better. The RR Merlin or RR Griffon? Look forward to seeing the results of the poll.
Me and my mate were having a discussion. So please vote for the engine you think is better. The RR Merlin or RR Griffon? Look forward to seeing the results of the poll.
To invent an airplane is nothing, to build an airplane is something, but to fly is everything.
- DaveB
- The Ministry
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It's all relative mate.
The Merlin was the original and the one that got the Spit through the BoB. The Griffon was a much different beast fitted to later models and gave increased performance to cope with the Spits ever increasing weight problem so you can't really say which was better as the one was developed from the other. The newer engine certainly wouldn't have been worse (and wasn't) so unless it's sound you're asking about, it's a bit of a duff question Sounds are purely personal so that argument is ruled out too!!
DaveB :smt025
The Merlin was the original and the one that got the Spit through the BoB. The Griffon was a much different beast fitted to later models and gave increased performance to cope with the Spits ever increasing weight problem so you can't really say which was better as the one was developed from the other. The newer engine certainly wouldn't have been worse (and wasn't) so unless it's sound you're asking about, it's a bit of a duff question Sounds are purely personal so that argument is ruled out too!!
DaveB :smt025
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- Concorde
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The "Merlin Crackle" for me every every time.
Seafire/Spitty,Hurri,Lanc or whatever,I aren't bothered.
After all the Merlin Crackle WAS Ray Hanna's signiture tune
The Merlin Spit/Seafires are nice to fly,the Griffon series are an altogether different brute.
Speed,power,vicious handling and prop torque.I like to fly the Mk.14,but boy, it needs carefull work to take off and land in one piece,but once you're airborne and at low-level it is good fun and very flies-on-teeth.
Mark
Seafire/Spitty,Hurri,Lanc or whatever,I aren't bothered.
After all the Merlin Crackle WAS Ray Hanna's signiture tune
The Merlin Spit/Seafires are nice to fly,the Griffon series are an altogether different brute.
Speed,power,vicious handling and prop torque.I like to fly the Mk.14,but boy, it needs carefull work to take off and land in one piece,but once you're airborne and at low-level it is good fun and very flies-on-teeth.
Mark
You could see him thinking "Bleedin'pilots,don't know nuffin.All glammer" He's probably right.
A/C.2 Webber,Manston,1941,First Light by Geoff Wellum.
A/C.2 Webber,Manston,1941,First Light by Geoff Wellum.
My choice is the Merlin but it is interesting to know that one famous Spitefire pilot AVM Jonnie Johnson who flew in the Battle of Britain and throughout the war flying Spitfires once said:
"Since the Griffon-engined fighter was so different I think it should have had another name".
"Since the Griffon-engined fighter was so different I think it should have had another name".
I used to be an optimist but with age I am now a grumpy old pessimist.
Hi guys,
My Dad flew Spitfires operationally during the war, from the Mk I to the Mk VIII and IX, and post-war flew the Mk 22, with the Griffon.
He tells me that from the pure flying point of view, the Mk V with a Merlin 55 was the nicest 'pilot's aeroplane'. However, as an aeroplane to fight with, the Mk VIII with a Merlin 66 is his choice.
The later, Griffon-powered aircraft became progressively more of a handful, and many would agree that much of the character of the aeroplane changed as more power became available. However, the gain in performance kept the aircraft in the front line for another five years or so and enabled it to keep up with the first-generation jets.
All in all, it's not really a valid question, for reasons that Dave B has stated.
Kevin
My Dad flew Spitfires operationally during the war, from the Mk I to the Mk VIII and IX, and post-war flew the Mk 22, with the Griffon.
He tells me that from the pure flying point of view, the Mk V with a Merlin 55 was the nicest 'pilot's aeroplane'. However, as an aeroplane to fight with, the Mk VIII with a Merlin 66 is his choice.
The later, Griffon-powered aircraft became progressively more of a handful, and many would agree that much of the character of the aeroplane changed as more power became available. However, the gain in performance kept the aircraft in the front line for another five years or so and enabled it to keep up with the first-generation jets.
All in all, it's not really a valid question, for reasons that Dave B has stated.
Kevin