Now on Facebook - Project: Mustang, LLC

[pawineguy]

The Rolls-Royce Merlin engine was built here at the Packard Motor Company, under license by Rolls-Royce. Rolls did not have the production capacity during WWII to meet the demand. They first approached Henry Ford at Ford Motor Company. Ford said "No, we will not build this this engine because it is not an American product."
They then went to Packard, and the rest is history.

It was a fantastic partnership, and Packer brought more to the table than is often mentioned. While the original Rolls built Merlin was/is a fantastic engine, it was built very slowly by hand and couldn't be ramped up to the necessary production. Packard identified where American parts could be substituted, and ramped it up to mass production.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

It was a fantastic partnership, and Packer brought more to the table than is often mentioned. While the original Rolls built Merlin was/is a fantastic engine, it was built very slowly by hand and couldn't be ramped up to the necessary production. Packard identified where American parts could be substituted, and ramped it up to mass production.

Another area where these engines were used was WWII PT (Patrol / Torpedo) Navy boats, with a trio of these engines installed. Packard built a total of 54,700 of these V12 Merlin engines. British production exceeded 150,000.

Many of these Merlins ended up in racing boats during the 60's and 70's.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

Performance - T-51D Mustang vs. P-51D Mustang

T-51D:
Engine horsepower (LS3 6.2) = 350 at 4,500 rpm, sea level
Max Gross weight = 2400 lbs.
Power to weight ratio = 6.8 lbs per each horsepower

P-51D:
Engine horsepower (V-1650-11) = 1380 at 3,000 rpm, sea level
Max Gross weight (WWII, no external stores) = 9450 lbs
Power to weight ratio = 6.8 lbs per horsepower

 

[pawineguy]

Another area where these engines were used was WWII PT (Patrol / Torpedo) Navy boats, with a trio of these engines installed. Packard built a total of 54,700 of these V12 Merlin engines. British production exceeded 150,000.

Many of these Merlins ended up in racing boats during the 60's and 70's.

The irony of Henry Ford declining to build them in the US is that Ford of Britain built 30K of them at Trafford Park. I find the production side of WWII fascinating as it led directly to our victory, as well as the Soviet victory on the Eastern Front. Our production numbers (and our allies') on any single item (trucks, jeeps, tanks, engines, planes, etc...) are just staggering.

 

[Stearmen]

Another area where these engines were used was WWII PT (Patrol / Torpedo) Navy boats, with a trio of these engines installed. Packard built a total of 54,700 of these V12 Merlin engines. British production exceeded 150,000.

Many of these Merlins ended up in racing boats during the 60's and 70's.

The Packard V-12 Marine engine is an entirely different engine from the Merlin, little, if anything is interchangeable! The Packard marine V12 4M engine was 2490 cu. in. and weighed 2,900lbs, the Merlin was 1649 cu. in. and weighed only around 1640 lbs, depending on the model. Incidentally, the three Packard's in a PT boat consumed 474 gallons an hour of 100 octane!

 

[Stearmen]

The irony of Henry Ford declining to build them in the US is that Ford of Britain built 30K of them at Trafford Park. I find the production side of WWII fascinating as it led directly to our victory, as well as the Soviet victory on the Eastern Front. Our production numbers (and our allies') on any single item (trucks, jeeps, tanks, engines, planes, etc...) are just staggering.

Ford went on to build 57,851 Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Radial engines, the best engine of the war. Don't believe me, shoot off the top jug on an R2800, then do the same on the Merlin, and time how long they keep running! Our PV2D Harpoon had a pair, like Pratt's motto says, "dependable engines!"

 

[Stearmen]

Yes, round engines are cool. If you don't know, the Wright Cyclone radial (R-1820) that powered the B-17 was built by Studebaker Motor Company during the WWII years.

But between a round motor, and the V12...

If God had intended for man to fly behind an inline engine, then Pratt & Whitney would have made them!

 

[TXFlyGuy]

If God had intended for man to fly behind an inline engine, then Pratt & Whitney would have made them!

A very common saying, for sure.

Check out some of the new videos posted on our page. One features "Twilight Tear", a Mustang with .50 Brownings installed doing target practice. The Federales won't let her fly with the guns, however (sucks!). But note the recoil of the plane as she shudders with each round leaving the barrel!

 

[Big J]

A very common saying, for sure.

Check out some of the new videos posted on our page. One features "Twilight Tear", a Mustang with .50 Brownings installed doing target practice. The Federales won't let her fly with the guns, however (sucks!). But note the recoil of the plane as she shudders with each round leaving the barrel!

I just watched that, it's amazing! Can't she fly under 'open carry'?lol

 

[Dumb&dumber]

very nice!

 

[TXFlyGuy]

"She flies like a dream!" - Bill Koleno, Titan Aircraft Chief Test Pilot, after the first test flights of our new high speed wing.