P-51 Startup

Pilot cranks up legendary Rolls Royce Merlin engine while camerman smells burnt avgas and oil

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• warbird
• action

[seaglass39]

You are confused. This engine is a 1,650 HP Merlin with a CARBURETOR the size of a motorcycle engine. Sorry, but it's the real thing. Warm Merlins with strong batteries, warm oil and handled by pros like Vlado start just like this. Why do you think the mechanics ran Spitfire engines on the ground periodically during the Battle of Britain? So they would start immediately if there was a scramble.

[Dogsbody1980]

This Mustang is a replica 3/4 of the real thing so will have most probably a V8 from a car (probably Ford or Chevvy) and NOT a Rolls-Royce or Packard Melin! Nice to see though!!

[seaglass39]

I took this movie...I assure you it's a 1,650 HP Packard Merlin. My father owned it for 25 years. Count the stacks there are 6 signifying a 12 cylinder engine...If you look hard there is smoke coming out of all six. There are other Youtube postings of this airplane...one is a low pass and that ain't a car engine making that music.

[Dogsbody1980]

If that is the case I must appologise. It's just not common I guess to see one that mirror-like! I checked out your other vids after your comment and your right, nothing sounds like a Merlin! Whats the story behind this aircraft, whats it's reg etc??

[seaglass39]

It was mirror like because it was hand polished for 25 years...it was sold several years ago to an American that has it repainted in U.S. Military colours. I haven't seen it in years. I think it may have been one of the last "civilian" paint scheme P51's in existence. Many Mustangs had very cool and weird non-military paint schemes in the 50's 60's and even 70's

[mikes47jeep]

this P-51 really needs to be painted up in her "war colors"

[Kurttermansen42]

@Dogsbody1980 tune your ears this is a merlin for sure ,

[cap10ed]

@Dogsbody1980 Oh thats the real deal. My hangar is just off the run up area and believe me when that P51 ran up its engine you went out to listen to that sweet roar.

[shortyman687]

@Dogsbody1980 This is definately a Merlin engine.. it's a unique sound... nothing like a v8

[jcadlols]

@Dogsbody1980 That sound is unmistakably V-12, if you could make a car V-8 sound like that, be sure to let me know. It would make one hell of an awesome hotrod. :)

[coryboy345]

@Dogsbody1980 My mistake about this not being the Merlin, i just saw your other videos, it's definitely a V12 Merlin... lol. This does sound quite different through from this angle, and doesn't look like the full sized plane. I was amazed how quickly it started too.

[coryboy345]

@seaglass39 Sure doesn't sound like the Merlin, or look like the full sized plane. I think you're confused. The old Merlin engines don't start up that quickly either, that engine is fuel injected in this plane...

[v12tommy]

@Dogsbody1980 I can verify seaglass39's claim that it has a V12 in it. Just listen to it, you can clearly tell that is a V12 and not a V8. Pure music. I don't think I have ever seen a merlin start that quickly though, maybe it had already been running? As someone who has a V8 Corvette as a daily driver and who builds V12s, that is definately a V12 in there.

[MrPhipper]

Is this a scale version or the original?

No matter what, it is still beatiful.

[RobertGary1]

Gotta love those new, modern, high speed starters. I'm sure the guys in WWII would have loved to have them too.