Depending on the model (P-51A with Allison engine or B,C, and D models, and US or British) the props were between 10 and 11 feet in diameter (10-foot 9-inch and 11-foot 2-inch being common.) Props are carefully selected for engine output and high and low altitude performance. The engines you see running on the ground usually have a prop with cut-down blades or a wooden test propeller called a test cub.
Brings back memories of the hydro's on the Mississippi in St. Louis. The cams are such that the idle is very rough until it is advanced to a "sweet spot" then is smooths out much like a high performance fuel dragster. Nice post and thanks.
Remember these engines are big and have a lot of mass. Without the mass of the propeller to act as a flywheel, the engine cannot be revved too high or it will over-speed and start breaking parts-like a rod or crank.
then they should have fitted a prop ,dont take it to a show half assed, i have seen guys rev MERLINS ,and its what people want to see and hear, thats simply the point i was making ,CHEERS
Yeah, they could add a cut-down prop, but will still have to be careful with the rpm's. Looks like this video was taken at the museum, so maybe it's not a show engine that's hauled around on a trailer, like the Merlins you speak about. A full-size prop on a trailer would be a hassle to move around too. I think one of the Merlin guys is starting on a Jumo 211 and I can't wait to hear that one running in few years.
Many WWII aircraft engines used sodium-filled valves for that reason. They offer better heat transfer and cooling in critical areas. So short exhaust manifolds were not a problem.
Engine sounds vary based different things, including the firing order of the cylinders, valve timing and the shape of the exhaust manifolds. You can hear the difference between a Merlin and a Griffon.
It's not clear if there's a manifold on the engine, but who cares, the heat flashes look brilliant. What a noise. I always love P51's flying by. Not quite a merlin though is it ;)
the idiots that say the pullers and hydroplane racers waste these engines have probably never heard one of these damn things run wide open on a pulling tractor or unlimited Hydroplane in person. it is definately one of the greatest sounds on earth. It shakes the rib cage right out of your chest. IMO it is a total waste when such an amazing engine sits at a museum only to be idled every 2 weeks
If your understanding of these engines is limited to holding a beer at a tractor pull and yelling Woo Hoo!, then you need to learn about the destruction and damage pulling and boat racing is causing to these engines. Running displays are fine. There's about 40 years of history with boat racers blowing these engines to bits.
lol yeah make me sound like a dumb redneck now, dude i understand your position being a fellow warbird/military aviation fanatic. At the same time i am a huge motorsports fan, so seeing those engines being used in Hydroplanes (although most hydros use Lycoming T-55 turbines now) and Pulling Tractors is like the best of both worlds for me. I know racing/pulling is hard on the engines...but it makes for one hell of a show!!
If the day ever comes when warbird engines are made new to support restorations, then new ones can be used in racing and pulling. New engines are discussed now and then but it is deemed too costly. New state-of-the-art tooling technologies may lower costs some day. I would think there are a variety of industrial and marine petrol engines (Falconer V12) that would work fine for hydro racing and pulling without needlessly destroying the historic aero engines that remain.
aero engines in pulling have really been obsolete for years now.super charged v8s have made excess of 2000hp for years.two of them probbaly weight about what one allison does
I agree. There are modern, reliable engines with plenty of replacement parts that work fine in the sport. Yet there are few who continue to use the vintage aero engines, consuming a dwindling parts supply and eventually blowing up yet another engine not designed for that abuse. Not to mention a small number boat racers who wanted to revive their use in hydroplane racing. One engine restorer remarked a few years ago that he wouldn't even accept phone calls from tractor pullers looking for parts.
This is true, but a supercharged V8 isn't going to make 2,000hp for anywhere close to the 150 hours the 1710 was living (easily) in a fighter. Commercial Merlins after the war had a 3,000 hour lifespan...
actually the early models used the allison but they soon went over to the merlin because of its better performance and the fact it had a turbo supercharger.
No, the Packard Merlin did not have a turbo on it. The Merlins used a 2 stage supercharger on the back of the engine with an up draught carb.
Where the Merlins make their power is in the supercharging. Allisons were successfully turbocharged in the P-38. The first P-39 were to be equipped with turbocharging as well.
The Allison is a tougher engine structurally, with pent roof combustion chambers. Very advanced for the 1930s. Duesenberg is said to have had a hand in the development.
I have removed all of the 8 or so posts containing foul language and other poor taste not relating to the video. I post these videos only as an interested observer.
The facts are that the guys who got this running are extremelly dedicated and ingenius people, I know for a fact that it was quite a challenge to get this engine running - just enjoy the great sound and think back to the guys who would have flown and died in aircraft powered by these beasts. As for the comment regarding no plane to put it in.........I suggest you take a visit to the Classic fighter jet museam at Parafield Airport Adelaide!
I have one of these in my garage and I can tell you what, it is no easy thing to get one of these babies running. These people are champs, have no doubt about it. I note they are running it on LPG. Safer and cheaper!
Music to my ears! What sweet shounds!
rqerce 8 months ago
@danscudder
The Allison-engined P-51A had a 10 foot, 6-inch Curtiss propeller.
FiveCentsPlease 9 months ago
My dad built these engines,it makes me happy that a part of him still lives on.
exilemike 1 year ago
@danscudder
Depending on the model (P-51A with Allison engine or B,C, and D models, and US or British) the props were between 10 and 11 feet in diameter (10-foot 9-inch and 11-foot 2-inch being common.) Props are carefully selected for engine output and high and low altitude performance. The engines you see running on the ground usually have a prop with cut-down blades or a wooden test propeller called a test cub.
FiveCentsPlease 1 year ago
Brings back memories of the hydro's on the Mississippi in St. Louis. The cams are such that the idle is very rough until it is advanced to a "sweet spot" then is smooths out much like a high performance fuel dragster. Nice post and thanks.
NamVet70Mike 1 year ago
Thank for post this. Great sound. Great engine.
lulamarc 1 year ago
///////////////////////
kevrs2 2 years ago
rev the engine gawd ,or else just go home
kevrs2 2 years ago
Remember these engines are big and have a lot of mass. Without the mass of the propeller to act as a flywheel, the engine cannot be revved too high or it will over-speed and start breaking parts-like a rod or crank.
FiveCentsPlease 2 years ago
then they should have fitted a prop ,dont take it to a show half assed, i have seen guys rev MERLINS ,and its what people want to see and hear, thats simply the point i was making ,CHEERS
kevrs2 2 years ago
Comment removed
FiveCentsPlease 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Yeah, they could add a cut-down prop, but will still have to be careful with the rpm's. Looks like this video was taken at the museum, so maybe it's not a show engine that's hauled around on a trailer, like the Merlins you speak about. A full-size prop on a trailer would be a hassle to move around too. I think one of the Merlin guys is starting on a Jumo 211 and I can't wait to hear that one running in few years.
FiveCentsPlease 2 years ago
Yes, and the P-38.
FiveCentsPlease 2 years ago
And the P-39
sakoshooter48 2 years ago
Screw both of you fags.
jsmitty1974 2 years ago
Exhaust manifolds? This one don't have any. I'm surprised the valves aren't burned up by now.
jsmitty1974 2 years ago
Dumbass. They ran 'em with straight pipes no longer than 6" all thru WW2. Valves won't burn if the fuel mixture is right.
buickroadmaster 2 years ago
Why do you have to be such as dick? Oh, I see, your a youtube Rambo huh
jsmitty1974 2 years ago
Many WWII aircraft engines used sodium-filled valves for that reason. They offer better heat transfer and cooling in critical areas. So short exhaust manifolds were not a problem.
FiveCentsPlease 2 years ago
Thank you sir, that is interesting to know. I appreciate the real answer, instead of the trollers answers above.
jsmitty1974 2 years ago
Engine sounds vary based different things, including the firing order of the cylinders, valve timing and the shape of the exhaust manifolds. You can hear the difference between a Merlin and a Griffon.
FiveCentsPlease 2 years ago
It's not clear if there's a manifold on the engine, but who cares, the heat flashes look brilliant. What a noise. I always love P51's flying by. Not quite a merlin though is it ;)
danjama 2 years ago
the idiots that say the pullers and hydroplane racers waste these engines have probably never heard one of these damn things run wide open on a pulling tractor or unlimited Hydroplane in person. it is definately one of the greatest sounds on earth. It shakes the rib cage right out of your chest. IMO it is a total waste when such an amazing engine sits at a museum only to be idled every 2 weeks
XXformula 3 years ago
If your understanding of these engines is limited to holding a beer at a tractor pull and yelling Woo Hoo!, then you need to learn about the destruction and damage pulling and boat racing is causing to these engines. Running displays are fine. There's about 40 years of history with boat racers blowing these engines to bits.
FiveCentsPlease 2 years ago
lol yeah make me sound like a dumb redneck now, dude i understand your position being a fellow warbird/military aviation fanatic. At the same time i am a huge motorsports fan, so seeing those engines being used in Hydroplanes (although most hydros use Lycoming T-55 turbines now) and Pulling Tractors is like the best of both worlds for me. I know racing/pulling is hard on the engines...but it makes for one hell of a show!!
XXformula 2 years ago
If the day ever comes when warbird engines are made new to support restorations, then new ones can be used in racing and pulling. New engines are discussed now and then but it is deemed too costly. New state-of-the-art tooling technologies may lower costs some day. I would think there are a variety of industrial and marine petrol engines (Falconer V12) that would work fine for hydro racing and pulling without needlessly destroying the historic aero engines that remain.
FiveCentsPlease 2 years ago
aero engines in pulling have really been obsolete for years now.super charged v8s have made excess of 2000hp for years.two of them probbaly weight about what one allison does
osp80 2 years ago
I agree. There are modern, reliable engines with plenty of replacement parts that work fine in the sport. Yet there are few who continue to use the vintage aero engines, consuming a dwindling parts supply and eventually blowing up yet another engine not designed for that abuse. Not to mention a small number boat racers who wanted to revive their use in hydroplane racing. One engine restorer remarked a few years ago that he wouldn't even accept phone calls from tractor pullers looking for parts.
FiveCentsPlease 2 years ago
@FiveCentsPlease
probabli
but tractor puller usually
used time expired part and unairwortly
components
and the use of these piece create a
market for replacement parts
made and tis is good also
for plane.....
wwmb43 2 years ago
This is true, but a supercharged V8 isn't going to make 2,000hp for anywhere close to the 150 hours the 1710 was living (easily) in a fighter. Commercial Merlins after the war had a 3,000 hour lifespan...
ernie750 2 years ago
they don't need too
osp80 2 years ago
... and a V8 can't do it upside down at 30,000 feet in -40c temperatures!
dairwin2000 2 years ago
aaaaah that´s sound guys!!
derneuschooer 3 years ago
as old as things r.......man u can just hear the power from this engine what a machine kudos
Z32spdstr 3 years ago
I LOVE CAPS LOCK ABUSE!!!
MatsNorway 3 years ago
Are they running propane?
hbunnie1120 3 years ago
I loved hearing this engine working hard pulling a sled at the tractor pulls.
hbunnie1120 3 years ago
Thats a waste of a grand engine!
BikerRussell 3 years ago
A waste indeed. The pullers and boat racers trashed a lot of these engines. The heat and stress ruin them.
FiveCentsPlease 3 years ago
What a sweet sounding mill!
LashoutUK 3 years ago
are there any exhaust manifolds on there?
Nza420 3 years ago
they used to use them in boats too. I don't even go to the boat races anymore since they are all gone. I can go to the airport to hear jets.
Yooosername 3 years ago
Beautiful sound
Sid447 3 years ago
Sweeeet engine !
berga570 3 years ago
These sngines were used in the famous P51 Mustang and P40 fighters of WW2, a sweet sounding engine
rcaddict69 3 years ago
Dont forget the p-38
BikerRussell 3 years ago
no the p51 used the rolls royce merlin engine.
disturbedone5009 3 years ago
Only the later versions. The initial P51s were powered by Allisons.
spencnaz 3 years ago
actually the early models used the allison but they soon went over to the merlin because of its better performance and the fact it had a turbo supercharger.
disturbedone5009 3 years ago
No, the Packard Merlin did not have a turbo on it. The Merlins used a 2 stage supercharger on the back of the engine with an up draught carb.
Where the Merlins make their power is in the supercharging. Allisons were successfully turbocharged in the P-38. The first P-39 were to be equipped with turbocharging as well.
The Allison is a tougher engine structurally, with pent roof combustion chambers. Very advanced for the 1930s. Duesenberg is said to have had a hand in the development.
spencnaz 3 years ago
oh thats right. yeah but the p51s had the merlin upgrade pretty early in the war.
disturbedone5009 3 years ago
the P51 used both engines, Allison was better for ground attack and RR was better as high alttitude fighter. P51 used all RRM's later in the war.
maytag40 3 years ago
They use these engines in modified tractors for pulling. Awesome display of HP
snowman9980 3 years ago
And a guaranteed destruction for the engine. Too much stress and too much rapid heat warps the parts and the engine will blow.
FiveCentsPlease 3 years ago
Fantastic!
kaysandesses 3 years ago
I have removed all of the 8 or so posts containing foul language and other poor taste not relating to the video. I post these videos only as an interested observer.
pulsejetboy 3 years ago 4
The facts are that the guys who got this running are extremelly dedicated and ingenius people, I know for a fact that it was quite a challenge to get this engine running - just enjoy the great sound and think back to the guys who would have flown and died in aircraft powered by these beasts. As for the comment regarding no plane to put it in.........I suggest you take a visit to the Classic fighter jet museam at Parafield Airport Adelaide!
pulsejetboy 3 years ago
I have one of these in my garage and I can tell you what, it is no easy thing to get one of these babies running. These people are champs, have no doubt about it. I note they are running it on LPG. Safer and cheaper!
kellsclear 3 years ago
Better keep a short leash on one of those babies...
BikerRussell 3 years ago
American horsepower baby!
BigChief427 3 years ago
damn.. that sounds badass
4x4Explorer 4 years ago