Packard Merlin V-1650-7 Engine test

[1ordequis]

Love the sounds of these old War birds. Love to see them in action doing their maneuvers over an airfield. A word of thanks to all who own and maintain these old birds and to those that have bought the lookalike kits of this venerable fighter. Its a major part of U.S. history one to be extremely proud of.

[trainguy3]

Wut's the difference between the TF, and the P versions of the mustang?

[JackRussellTerror]

@trainguy3 Nobody has ever specifically addressed this to me, but my understanding from different aircraft I have seen is that the T in TF is a two seat, dual control aircraft, basically a trainer. The F in TF is what the "fighter" aircraft designation became when the Army Air Corp became the US Air Force in 1948. P is the original Army Air Corp designation for "pursuit" aircraft. The TF-51 was not an original NAA plane, but one that was developed yrs later, I believe by private individuals.

[trainguy3]

@JackRussellTerror thanks for the reply!

No matter what designation it is though, I love the Mustang!

[SprecheDeutsch]

@JackRussellTerror That explanation brought a tear to my eye. :') Somebody who knows what they're talking about...

[JDPackard]

i thought i wanted a car but NOW i know what packard i want

[ps2hacker]

Indeed, Packard's supercharger. It was a 2 stage, speed arrangement with an intercooler and an "aftercooler", which most importantly, adjusted to altitude and air pressure, so that the engine could produce 100% horsepower from sea level to critical altitude, consistantly, without much thought on the part of the pilot. I bet they like gasoline......

[Hiei2k7]

The Packard Merlin was a bit of an unsung hero.

Rolls-Royce designed it originally, gotta give them that. Packard decided to mass-produce parts for quick replacement, as opposed to R-R's hand-built custom parts. Gets the planes back in the air faster with fresh crates of parts from Detroit. Also had some sort of design modification to make for more power at high altitude.

[lander4545]

The real improvemnt Packard incorporated into the Merlin was adopting the Wright supercharger drive quill. This was a two speed,two stage supercharger that made alot more power at high altitude. This design modification was designated the Packard V-1650-3 and became known as the "high altitude" Merlin destined for the P-51!

[Hiei2k7]

@lander4545 Thank You

[Schnookynibbles]

This was indeed a superior plane...in the ETO, the 51 out maneuvered the 109 (slightly), out muscled it at all altitudes (having a superior service ceiling), certainly out-endured all comers. The 51 was the quintessential dogfighter, sporting superb ergonimics...the fighter pilot's fighter....skilled pilots could pull off amazing feats of acrobatics. And all of these features combined to enable the P51 to save a lot of 8th AF bomber squandron 'bacon'...

[P214Stearman]

But this is aTF-51 it wasn't in any battle ^^

[rcs40x]

one of the best handling planes of its time, could out maneuver almost anything

[BikerRussell]

Handling wise at low altitudes it couldnt outmaneuver a 190.

[Electricblue707]

It handled great with a full tank but the handling became overly sensitive after the fuel began to run low and the plane became lighter.

[pen24]

Built by Packard Motor Company in Detroit

[ACDCisNiCe]

bad maneuverability but verrrry nice looking and sounding!!

[fbenenati]

I think Chuck Yeager and Bud Anderson would take issue with you about its "bad maneuverability". Unless you flew them in combat, I would take their word over yours. No offense, just pointing out their expert opinions.

[ACDCisNiCe]

I didn't mention that bad maneuverability at low altitudes. In high places it's good.

[pepsi71ocean]

It was a superb fighter, it was so good that it shot down 26 Mig 15's in Korea, now tell me it was a bad plane.

[IslandArchitect]

So nice to see the engine attribution correct. When Nils Skrubb designed it he performed a special feat... he completely memorized the RR engine over 6 months and did not set pencil to paper during that time period because he was thinking the whole thing through with his improvements. Then he set pencil to the paper and drew it up. Any messing around was done in his head beforehand.

I think that he deserves some credit for the engine that he designed... made a lot of people happy.

[thegarlands04]

I Luv that plane!

[drdubb56]

any one who flys any ww11 aircraft is a lucky barstard

[newnumanuma]

@drdubb56 World War Eleven? Did I miss something?? Where am I!? Who are you?! What year is it!?

[s172mch]

wow sounds just like the one you can download for flight sim

[jawslack]

One flies over my house in the summer evenings occasionally - it lives nearby. The sound of that engine brings goosebumps all over! The most beautiful single seater ever.

[greyblokemoss]

I agree about the Merlin but I think the Griffon has a much deeper and more menacing growl

[mitsudave]

I've seen this plane fly several times...Lee Lauderback is a lucky guy!

[GenericGene]

A fine example -

[Wyldechylde59]

Rolls Royce Merlin engine in a North American P-51... Sexiest sound ever.

[jabbathecree]

Sounds even better in the plane it was designed for,the 'Spitfire'

[Joe22300]

Does it hell!

[jabbathecree]

Of course it does. It stands to reason, It's a British engine(The best in WW2)designed for a British plane(Also the best in WW2)

[homesmack123]

how is it the bes plane of WW2 what about the tempest and the p51 was made to escort bombers long rang the spit can't do that. to be the best fighter of the war is a little bit for dynamic than that.

[shortyman687]

although a common misconception, the merlin was not solely designed just to be used in the spitfire. the engine there is pretty much the same one, just built under licence by packard.

[JackRussellTerror]

Yup, the RR Merlin was used in the Avro Lancaster - all four engines, the DeHaviland Mosquito - both engines (and the only WWII aircraft built of plywood), the Hawker Hurricane which shot down more aircraft during the Battle of Britain than the Spitfire, and last but not the Supermarine Spitfire. The RR designed Packard built Merlin went primarily into the NA P-51B-K Mustang, but the flying Lancaster from Canada has Packard Merlins. After WWII the Spanish continued to build BF-109's w/RR Merlins

[Dragonatheart195]

Sorry, plane, not plain.

[Dragonatheart195]

Such a beautiful plain, but I have to admit, the Pratt and Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engine sounds so much meaner.

[bozonono]

packard was amazing. cars, aviation and marine all add to their legend. I had the chance to ride in one of these. it was awesome.

[defiant1337]

The Rolls Royce Merlin engine is the star for sure

[dukesergio1]

omg everything named mustang is pretty, cars, planes, all!!!!Just love it