America's WW2 British Planes

[@ukrainiipyat]

The aircrafts were great, but still the greatest British contribution to American airpower during WWII was the Rolls Royce Merlin engine that made the P-51 a truly great aircraft.

[@lordulberthellblaze6509]

That and British Radars which which greatly advanced US Radar development.

[@insideoutsideupsidedown2218]

Combination of the new laminar flow wing and the Merlin made the Mustang a great plane. Almost as great as the F4U Corsair...😂

[@russchadwell]

That, and a number of patents.

[@efnissien]

Up until the introduction of the Merlin, the P51 was a bit of a donkey. Whoever looked at the Merlin and thought "Hmmmm, lets bolt one of these fuckers to the P51... It can't be worse than it already is." was an unsung hero.

[@georgebuller1914]

@@efnissien Couldn't have been a 'Brit!' They'd have said ' 'These Chappies' rather than 'these fuckers!' LOL

[@keithallver2450]

My Grandfather was a pilot in the USAAF and had a chance to fly the De Havilland Mosquito. He said it was the most amazing plane he ever flew.

[@Spartanm333]

Not one but two Merlins! :)

[@wolfmauler]

I was amazed to find out that its 4000lb or more payload, was comparable to the B-17's long range load.

[@bitzannbobz]

awesome

[@gedeon2696]

@@wolfmauler DH-Mosquito vs B17: same long-range bombload AND range at dble the speed.

[@USAAFLANGFORDLODGEHC]

The USAAF used Mossies for photo reconnaissance missions out of Watton, the USAAF also made fair use of Airspeed Oxfords, they were quite popular for short field hops and cross country admin flights.

[@fabovondestory]

"The mosquito was replaced with the B-29" That escalated quickly

[@lordulberthellblaze6509]

I wonder how the pilots felt about that.

[@richardhart9204]

LOL! I was thinking the same thing.

[@decentish8546]

From a 4000 pound capacity to 20000 pound. Just a slight improvement lol.

[@nickdanger3802]

@@Easy-Eight The RAF taught the USAAF about fire bombing, the Luftwaffe taught the RAF.

[@5000mahmud]

Goes to show how capable the mosquito was, that it took one of the most advanced bombers in the world to replace it. A wooden wonder indeed.

[@Chiller01]

The British/American collaboration during WW2 was effective if at times begrudging. Certainly American industrial capacity was crucial in supplying not only combat equipment but logistical contributions like trucks, locomotives etc. British improvements such as the Merlin engine and later jet engine technology greatly enhanced combat effectiveness. I cringe at some of the nationalistic disparagement that is dished out by one side against the other in KZbin comments by armchair WW2”historians.” For every Kasserine there was a Singapore. For every El Alamein there was a Bastogne. Both nations suffered a similar number of casualties during the war. They were brave men, like my father, who fought to defeat a common evil and the soldiers of both nations deserve our admiration and respect.

[@nickdanger3802]

Ta

[@rnstoo1]

Hear Hear. Well said indeed!

[@mxplk]

Well put! The way these American and English armchair generals sound today, one would think they would like to go back to the 1940s and have a go at one another, while ignoring the Germans.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Well, Mr. George Bernard Shaw hit the nail on the head when he said: "The British and the Americans are two people separated by a common language!"

[@JeffLeChefski]

Great comment. I totally agree.

[@hoosierpatriot2280]

I'm gonna miss being able to click on Dr. Felton videos as soon as they post once I go back to work. It has truly helped me through my medical leave. Thank you Dr. Felton.

[@forallmankindtowatch]

Hope you get well

[@hoosierpatriot2280]

@@forallmankindtowatch I have been off work since the middle of May but I go back in 2 weeks. Thank you for the well wishes.

[@jajeronymo]

Can you get your doctor to prescribe you a daily dose of Mark Felton videos to be taken at six hours into your working day?

[@Dirtzoo]

I'm a Hoosier too from speedway Indiana. Good to know you and your internet comments

[@carnifexor3010]

Hope you have a good and quick recovery!

[@rnstoo1]

The guys at 1:51 were Americans whowere actually in the RAF before the formation of the Eagle Squadron. The guy in the middle is Vernon Keogh who was the shortest guy in the RAF (4' 10") There is a great book about them called "The Few" which I read a few years back.

[@robertlane6382]

And his squadron mates are Eugene Tobin (left) and Andy Mamedoff (right). Sadly, all three were killed on operations in 1941.

[@rnstoo1]

@@robertlane6382 Indeed

[@recceeboy1237]

A great book by Tom Walsh is remembering the Canadian Yanks, this book chronicles the many US pilots that trained in Canada to fight in the conflict before the entry of America into world war 2

[@doncarlton4858]

As of the movie "The Battle of Britain" in 1969 the RAF officially recognized that seven Americans participated in that battle. Recently the RAF upped the official count to fourteen. According to the book "The Few" and other sources, the count was at least twice that. In order to avoid the Neutrality Act, many Americans used forged Canadian birth certificates to enlist in the RCAF in Canada. Therefore the true number of Americans in RAF/RCAF service may never be known.

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

I was about to comment on his height!

[@f.puttroff4470]

I love Dr. Felton's videos. I had two Uncles die in Europe, one at Cherbourg and the other in Italy and I had another that was a paratrooper who was hidden by a French Underground farm family and then I have two sons who were Marine and Navy Officers (one a USMC Light Armored Recon and one a Naval EOD Officer)! Thanks Mark!

[@RAF71chingachgook]

My father was head of crew chiefs at Burtonwood '54-57. He worked on a lot of Canberra. While he was there he managed to find a nice Manchester girl to take home to NY. She was Miss Great Britain (really!). :) And so I was born a half-brit. ;)

[@Limey5.0]

I live 5 minutes drive from the former Burtonwood base. Unfortunately it's all gone now and has a housing estate built in place instead :(

[@frostyfrost4094]

Burtonwood was an amazing USAAF base

[@wwlll8248]

@Hoa Tattis Yes! They've been replaced with "Asians".

[@jimcottee9187]

Speaking of fathers, mine was a RAAF pilot. After flying Mustangs for the 1st year of the Korean War, he was chosen to do the Test Pilot's Course in England - from 54 to 57.! He topped the course & was given a similar award that Douglas Bader had received. He flew everything the Brits had back then, including all 3 V bombers ( he was the 1st to take the Vulcan through the sound barrier ) and also flew the Canberra, taking it to the max. When we returned to Australia, he became Chief test Pilot for many years, still flying the Canberra & doing amazing stunts at air shows, before eventually test flying the F-111's in the US before we received them down here in the 70's. Cheers.

[@RAF71chingachgook]

@@jimcottee9187 That’s awesome. You should be very proud of your father!. Makes me wonder if my father worked on your father’s aircraft.

[@shieldwallofdragons]

America still uses many different kinds of the Rolls-Royce engines in their aircraft...they are some of the best and most reliable power plants anywhere in the world.

[@glenmoss02]

The USN has a long history of using British power plants in WW2, especially in their cruisers. The new Zumwalt-class destroyers are powered by Rolls-Royce as well.

[@lordulberthellblaze6509]

Not just in military but commericial aircraft as well. Lots of the western made air liners have rolls royce engines. Examples Airbus a380 and some variants of the Boeing 747 and 787 dreamliner

[@SVSky]

C-130 and V-22

[@richardparkersmith4810]

I believe the Osprey uses RR engines

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

Shieldwall I think Boeing and the airlines that ordered RR engines for the 787 will STRONGLY disagree with you !!!! And it is NOT RR That has the Largest, most POWERFUL and efficient turbofan engine in service, that would be GE !!! GE90-115 and GenX9 all beat RR all to hell !!! So would Lockheed, delayed the L1011 entry by TWO years waiting on the RB211 engine, giving the DC10 the sales advantage and costing Lockheed their jet airliner business, Way to go RR !!!! Facts of history !!!

[@theredbaron8380]

I’ve seen that actual spitfire MK 5 c in the first screen at the United States Air Force Museum!!!

[@kyle857]

Me too. That place is amazing. What a collection.

[@run2fire]

USAF awesome place! Glad I live close!

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

the red baron Facts of history that spitfire Mk5C is powered by a RR 20 series Merlin that throughout the war used just a single stage 2 SPEED supercharger, as most merlins in the war were so equipted, only 5656 of the 20,000 spitfire made had the LATER ( late 1942) 60 series 2x2 merlin !!!! FACTS of history less the lies, hype, and British BULL$HIT !!!

[@Whitpusmc]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 What BS? The Spitfire was a great plane when used within its capabilities. The RR Merlin engine made the P-51 into the war winner that it became. Sometimes teamwork produces a better product.

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

@@Whitpusmc Even with the Alison engine, the P51 was not a dog.

[@jonauclair8209]

You’re the best WW2 historian on KZbin, Dr. Felton, Keep up the amazing work!

[@nedludd7622]

What others have you seen?

[@jonauclair8209]

@@nedludd7622 All of them

[@nedludd7622]

@@jonauclair8209 Name names and I will tell you which ones you missed.

[@jonauclair8209]

@@nedludd7622 well the get the Reichsmarschall one is gone unfortunately, The Andrei Vlasov one is pretty good, Circle C is interested as is the one about checkpoint Charlie and Rudolf Hess when he was is spandau prison, the Nuremberg trials ones were also good, the one about die glocke is hilarious!

[@nedludd7622]

@@jonauclair8209 So you do not know Soviet Storm for one.

[@JP_Scarecrow]

5:54 "A bomber made of wood has proved its mettle." Love that line almost as much as I love the plane. Great video as always, thanks!

[@happyhowey]

The information about the Canberra was honestly stunning, not something I expected to learn today at all. Thank you Doctor Felton.

[@alfnoakes392]

Agreed, I knew it had a long RAF service, but 55 years! Not the longest an aircraft has stayed in service with an airforce, I know, but very impressive. That, and the Americans building it under license, are huge compliments to the original designers.

[@RCAvhstape]

I knew the USAF used them but I didn't know there were still some B-57's actively flying.

[@keithmoore5306]

@@RCAvhstape yeah NASA had 5 last i heard and it's rumored the NSA still has a few flyable ones somewhere! if they do or not who really knows with the puzzle palace!!

[@goodshipkaraboudjan]

That was a surprise indeed. I remember reading about NASA having some still but I presumed just as testbeds. The fact they've flown operationally recently is quite cool.

[@keithmoore5306]

@@goodshipkaraboudjan NASA has operated them non stop!

[@DeltaV3]

Dr Felton's vids should be prescribed by therapists in the same way walking the dog, going for a run or a glass of red wine is. Truly relaxing and a welcome distraction. 👍🏻

[@leth4ltiger]

Thank you. Seriously. Your videos are helping me to teach my daughter the history that they refuse to teach in schools these days.

[@mebsrea]

Dr. Felton is great, but with all respect, teaching your daughter about the minutia of WW2 is really missing the forest for the trees. That’s not what schools *should* be teaching.

[@sicknote1558]

Absolutely true a thought it was just my secondary school that didn't teach anything about ww2 all we got to learn was the potato famin coal mining and the Russian tzar and revolution which made history lesson in the 90s the worst class in school you would have thought living in the uk we would of been tought about those presiescife hours that saved Britain in the battle of Britain made me feel like there was some sort of stigma attached to Britain in ww2 and they weren't allowed to teach about it in schools

[@robingrey9944]

Well said, in the UK school history books these days they almost completely cancel Churchill. The only reference to him in WW2 history was...."some people believe that Churchill played a part in the victory."

[@mebsrea]

@@sicknote1558 I only spent a small part of my school days in Britain, but I remember doing an entire year almost entirely on the First World War and what led up to it, and this was in the 1990s.

[@banksarenotyourfriends]

@@mebsrea hear hear, both world wars took up way too much of my school years, and I left school in 2003. It'll never be enough for all the nationalistic poppy shaggers though.

[@emberbeam2259]

I’ve watched your Videos for about a year now and Ive started showing them to my dad. Lots of unknown stories that no one really talks about and I would have never known they existed. Thanks Mark!

[@ibeatyoutubecircumventingy6344]

i like his lack of propaganda filled rhetoric that is usually in any documentary. he just uses facts and interesting stories!

[@bethhentges]

I wish my dad was still alive to watch these.

[@stoopingfalcon891]

The first one I ever watched was about a year ago, and I had come across it accidentaly, whilst looking for something else. A happy accident for me :)

[@stoopingfalcon891]

The Mosquito. Probably the only other war fighter that had the looks to go with its function. A beautiful airplane.

[@alganhar1]

@Dave Hope Hornet was beautiful... but never had the war record of the mossie, and thats the point, the Hornet was an improvement of an already superb aircraft, but it never really saw combat. Mosquito did.....

[@ibeatyoutubecircumventingy6344]

i cant go past the Bristol Beaufighter for its superb lines for its designed job and pure ability too multirole maybe my inner Aus Bias as we used these a lot! basically a Mosquito is a Wood Beaufighter :P if u ask me!

[@keithmoore5306]

same can be said of the Camberra!! she has extremely nice lines especially in the B 57 cockpit layout!

[@robertjohns7010]

@@alganhar1 Interestingly Eric "Winkle" Brown, one of the greatest test pilots ever (who still holds dozens of records), said that his two favourite planes out of hundreds that he tested were the De Havilland Sea Hornet and the F86 Sabre. It's a pity that the Hornet was a little too late for WWII.

[@TheArgieH]

@@robertjohns7010 Remembering that he started with biplanes (first flight with Ernst Udet!) and finished with supersonics, and that one of those records is for the number of types tested, it is quite a compliment.

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

"A bomber made of wood has proved its mettle." Lovely stuff.

[@Otokichi786]

Soviet aircraft designers: Are we jokes to you?

[@selfdo]

You had a shortage of aluminum for airframes, plenty of forests and lumber, and quite a few old wood workers who were otherwise out of a job (or at least doing other, less skilled tasks if not suitable for the British Army) no furniture or office desks being built for the duration, and they had the necessary SKILLS and machinery on hand. Why NOT? Plus, although it wasn't the driving factor to build the Mosquito out of wood, it turned out to have "STEALTH" qualities.

[@bBersZ]

@@Otokichi786 well obviously 🤭

[@istillusezune82]

The D.H Vampire was also made of wood. IMO even more impressive as it was a jet fighter. Wood glue on the Mosquito unfortunately decomposed in heat and humidity, the ROC/Taiwan air force used some in the Civil War and several crashed inflight.

[@jameswolf133]

I’m going to steel that pun.

[@DiogenesOfCa]

The Brits made some fine looking aircraft.

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

Eudemonia Overly engineered, complicated and difficult and time consuming to build !!!!

[@Otokichi786]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 Willy Messerschmitt: Hold my Peppermint Schnapps!;)

[@nickdanger3802]

@@paulhicks6667 American post-war military assistance programs loaned the RAF enough Superfortresses to equip several RAF Bomber Command squadrons. The aircraft was known as the Washington B.1 in RAF service and served from March 1950 until the last bombers were returned in early 1954. Wackipedia

[@paulhicks6667]

Thanks Nick I knew that. The Russians flew their own knocked off version, reverse engineered from a few US aircraft that force landed on Soviet territory and which they impounded. Really the B29s were obsolete by 1950 when the Mig 15 appeared.

[@georgebarnes8163]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 Only a matter of time before you dragged yourself out of the manure heap to comment.

[@marvwatkins7029]

Hopefully Dr. Felton will never run out of fascinating, though possibly obscure to more than some, military subjects and tales worth knowing

[@Trek001]

*raises hand* There was also a PRU squadron in USAAF service that flew Spitfires - there is even a documentary online about interviewing a pilot who was filmed crash landing

[@rovercoupe7104]

It’s a good film. M.

[@largain]

Mr Felton, would you ever consider making a video about the British pacific Fleet, and their actions against Japan in the final stages of the Pacific theatre?

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

I've been working on a story concerning the BPF, and it will be coming out over the next few months.

[@elliotgregory3356]

If you visit Yeovilton air museum there's a fair bit about it there

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

largain why waste time on a minor late to the show event !!! The Brits cared LESS about the Pacific theater, they considered that war the USA's war and the Brits were more concerned about getting help to save their own scrawny a$$'s !!!

[@Otokichi786]

That sounds like something Drachinifel does.;)

[@esmenhamaire6398]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 We'll be ignoring the US's late to the show appearance in Europe too, then? I do hope not! And regarding facts, I believe you'll find that the US and UK miliary agreed between themselves who'd deal primarily with what, where, and using what equipment, depending on available resources and suitability for the job. Until the advent of the Centurion, our tanks were pretty poor, and our armoured doctrine wasnt much better either, IMO, so we were glad of the Lee-Grants and Shermans. Our Navy was also primarily concerned with home defence (as well as convoy escort) , just like yours was - and thus was better equipped for Atlantic theatre operations than Pacific ones. Being proud of the achievements of ones own nation shouldn't blind you to the merits of others. Have a good day!

[@Seatux]

T-45 Goshhawk also. Basically a BAE Hawk for the US Navy

[@magoid]

I was surprised he didn't mentioned it.

[@rizaradri316]

@@magoid Maybe it didn't count because it was primarily a training aircraft. All aircraft shown in this video is primarily combat aircraft.

[@ma9x795]

Lovely little sports car of an aircraft. Great to fly too.

[@simonbeaird7436]

The three Eagle Squadron pilots are (l to r) Eugene Tobin, Vernon Keough and Andrew Mamedoff. All flew with 609 Squadron during the closing weeks of the Battle of Britain. By October 1940 they had been posted to 71 Squadron, the first of the three Eagle Squadron. Within a year all three would be dead. RIP, not forgotten.

[@janiceduke1205]

American born William (Billy) Fiske flew with the RAF No. 601 Squadron early on in the BoB July-August 1940 as an Acting Pilot Officer. On 16 August Fiske flew two operations. On the second his aircraft was damaged, but rather than abandon it he chose to try and bring the valuable and much-needed Hurricane home. As he approached Tangmere, the aircraft caught fire. Fiske landed safely, but received severe burns. He was taken to St. Richard’s Hospital, Chichester, were it seemed he would recover quickly. However, on 17 August Pilot Officer Fiske died of shock. He was buried at Boxgrove. On 4 July, 1941, the Secretary of State for Air, Sir Archibald Sinclair, unveiled a plaque in the crypt of St. Paul’s Cathedral to Fiske: “An American Citizen, Who Died That England Might Live”. In his speech, Sinclair said: Here was a young man for whom life held much. Under no kind of compulsion he came to fight for Britain. He came, and he fought, and he died. Billy Fiske was the 1928 and 1932 Olympic champion bobsled driver and the first American pilot killed in action in World War II. 1911-1940. The Neutrality Acts of the 1930s officially forbade any American citizen to fight in a foreign war. Despite these restrictions American pilots flew for the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain, using different methods to ensure they could enroll and fight against Nazi Germany. One airman was Billy Fiske, who pretended to be Canadian upon enlisting in the Royal Air Force in 1939.

[@GyattRizzler69]

You know its good when Mark Felton uploads

[@EmperorHirohito-kv2uc]

Oh, hello, Your Majesty, how's the exile going ?

[@EmperorHirohito-kv2uc]

@Comrade Joseph Stalin You're deeper though, Mr Dzugaschvili

[@emperormemehelmii4057]

*Miss you Kaiser Wilhelm I hopefully play KAISERREICH ❤️*

[@emperormemehelmii4057]

@Comrade Joseph Stalin Hell yeah papa Stalin I hope fight for anime and Mike inel Btw do u like KZbin name Scorpo

[@GyattRizzler69]

@@EmperorHirohito-kv2uc going okay I guess

[@larrybomber83]

We get to see the NASA Canberra every so often when it comes to land at Ellington Air Field. No other engines sound like that. Thanks Mark.

[@eyesofisabelofficial]

I can add to that list. The Bae Hawk was chosen as the basis from the US Navy carrier training jet, the McDonnell Douglas T-45C Goshawk.

[@alexandermakrianis]

You're right, I can't believe that was left out. I've seen the T-45 in person.

[@jimwatson7404]

Recently finished an excellent book by one of the US pilots that flew Spitfires in Africa/Italy. "Woodbine Red Leader" by George Loving is a great read!

[@robertmcmanus636]

You could have gone into much greater detail on the varied use the USAF made of the Canberra, including as a long wing, high altitude reconnaissance aircraft and use in Vietnam.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

NO... Your drifting into a entire other video.

[@robertmcmanus636]

@@WALTERBROADDUS Not really. He went into more varied explanations for almost all the other planes. The Canberra was more varied in it's uses and types than he alluded to here. It would have taken one, maybe two more sentences.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@robertmcmanus636 It's a side note. There are aviation channels with the B-57 as a topic.

[@robertmcmanus636]

@@WALTERBROADDUS Meh

[@Sturminfantrist]

and the B-57G Tropic Lightning service,with FLIR and other sensors, in Vietnam.

[@AtheistOrphan]

The late great Spike Milligan mentions his surprise at seeing a spitfire with American markings ditched on the beach at Saleno in one of his wartime autobiographies. I’ve seen a photo of that particular aircraft in another WW2 history book.

[@gunnargundersen3787]

I believe the US used the Boulton Paul Defiant as a target tug. A role it was excellent at being reasonably fast and the rear turret allowed trainers to see whether their trainees were missing their target.

[@SuperEdge67]

That was all the Boulton Paul Defiant was good for. A terrible design.

[@johnholt9399]

@@SuperEdge67 I think you are being harsh the tactical concept was the problem the Defiant was actually a pretty efficient answer to the flawed idea of the turret fighter and was 100 mph faster than the terrible Blackburn Roc, it also proved to be a useful night fighter.

[@alfnoakes392]

@@johnholt9399 Agreed. It was a good answer to the wrong question. Several countries produced 'turret fighter' designs based on 1930's concepts of how air-war would be fought. Britain produced possibly the weirdest prototype with the Westland P12 (one of those aircraft that could only fly because the Earth repelled it on aesthetic grounds).

[@racketyjack7621]

Always loved the harrier. You English built a damn fine ship. USMC 1975-77

[@georgebuller1914]

Thanks. But may I ask that you say 'British' because it was a British - not just an English aeroplane? :-)

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

Racketyjack ALL USMC Harrier jets were built and MODIFIED in the USA !!!!!

[@georgebuller1914]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 Your point? It was still a BRITISH design! As for 'modifications' that was your prerogative - to a point - under the terms of your licence.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Seems like you were in when I was, 1974-1977. Another Bicentennial Marine! And I remember the Harriers too, I was at MCAS Cherry Point. There were some issues, but due to the Corps not doing what the Brits told them to do.

[@SCscoutguy]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 No they were not. The original AV-8A's were built by Hawker Siddeley in the UK. Who on earth told you that they were built in the US? The AV-8B was designed and built in the US later on in the 80's.

[@mr.schafer8300]

Hello from Brazil! Excellent work, Mr Felton!

[@charlieking2222]

My great grandfather was head of the de Havilland experimental workshop and played a major role in the design of the Mosquito. I’ve heard a lot of cool stories from my grandfather

[@mitchmatthews6713]

Hearing the differences of Mustangs, Spitfires, and Lancasters, is as beautiful as hearing different songbirds. Thank you, Mark!

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

Mitch Because all those planes used DIFFERENT versions of the merlin !!!! DUUUUHHH!!!!!!

[@mitchmatthews6713]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 Well excuse me for not being anal about airplane engines!

[@pagansbasin6657]

You always hear so much about German, Soviet, and American built weaponry but not much about any of the other major countries

[@ottovonbismarck2443]

There are good videos out there, but I have to agree they are rare.

[@smoketinytom]

Talk about an upgrade…. Mosquito Light Bomber/Fighter to B-29 Strategic Heavy Bomber.

[@PedroConejo1939]

Yeah, that's a remarkable jump and when I heard it, I was like, "Wha...?"

[@loddude5706]

Hmm, from a ballistic balsa botty-dragger, to a Duralumin cathedral with the World's sexiest nose-leg. Doddle : )

[@g8ymw]

@@loddude5706 Just a Lancaster clone with more range lol

[@noveseth2863]

@@g8ymw keep dreaming 😭😂

[@TheBignell1]

The Mosquito could carry a bigger bomb load in weight than the B17.....so not really a light bomber

[@Samaldoful]

I love the spitfire more than any other plane

[@BOB-wx3fq]

I felt the need to make this comment, doctor Marc Felton has been putting out quality since the day he started and I found a tiny humble channel of 900 followers... He made an empire of properly educated ww2 buffs I'm guessing nearly single handedly As a testament to you I keep seeing other KZbinrs or commenters referencing Marc on videos that may relate to a topic he covered... It's amazing, I take Marc Felton facts as gospel and when he isn't sure he gives you all possibilities Marc you are a a bright beacon in a time of mass ignorance

[@johncataloni8552]

My grandfather was with the 52nd in Italy during the war, 4th Fighter Squadron. It gave me goosebumps to hear his unit be mentioned

[@richardhart9204]

A great follow-up to this would be a feature on how the allied and axis soldiers utilized each other's weapons and which were their favourites.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

German soldiers were VERY impressed with the American M-1 Carbine, they had nothing like it and it was a prized capture for them.

[@SteelFisher]

He's already done a video or two on that subject I believe.

[@richardhart9204]

@@wayneantoniazzi2706 I don't know about the Carbine, but I do know they were very fond of the M1 Garand and U.S. jeeps.

[@matthewlok3020]

And at least a Russian by the name of Kalashnikov was very impressed with the StG44 that he designed an automatic rifle based on it

[@matthewlok3020]

@@richardhart9204 I recall seeing a modern comparison between a Jeep and a Kubelwagen somewhere in YT

[@nemilyk]

The 31st and 52nd weren't thrilled about giving up their Spitfires, as I recall reading. Unfortunately my books on the subject are in storage as I don't have room in my current apartment... >_

[@glennheth3472]

I was going to say that the P51 wasn't that much of an upgrade from the Spitfire Mk IX.

[@nemilyk]

@@glennheth3472 One vet interviewed in the book said they did warm to the P-51 eventually because the range was so much greater which gave them a lot more opportunities to engage the enemy (ugh I have to get to my storage unit to dig that book out...). The big jump would have been the 4th FG going from the little Spit Mk V to comparatively hulking P-47Cs. Granted I do love that flying milk-jug, too.

[@glennheth3472]

@@nemilyk Yeah, that seemed a bit weird. "Hmm, we have these guys who have a lot of experience flying lightweight, nimble fighters. Let's stick 'em in the biggest, tankiest brute we can find."

[@nemilyk]

@@glennheth3472 In fairness, their choice at the time (very early 1943) was realistically the P-47 or the P-38 (the P-39 and P-40 being woefully ill-suited to the role). The P-38 with its twin engines and yoke style controls would have been an even bigger adjustment I'd think.

[@brianb2837]

Its really quite amazing how you just keep up with new an interesting topics from WW2.. Thanks very much Mark!

[@billjamison2877]

Bravo to you Mr. Felton for producing such fine historical content!

[@RaiderLeo69]

Another amazing story from an amazing Historian Dr. Mark Felton! Thank you Sir!

[@thelastoferrathen613]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate how amazing the Spitfire looks with a blue USAAF paint job.

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

Allen Rogue The Blue was to match the sky color for PR versions !!! The US Navy never flew the $hitfire !!!! It was first USAAF pilots arriving in England BEFORE their planes !!!

[@thelastoferrathen613]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 Thanks for the correction, no need to use profanity.

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

@@thelastoferrathen613 Poor delicate snowflake !!!!

[@thelastoferrathen613]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 At least spell it correctly. I may have gotten the colors wrong, but your disrespect is a dishonor to the brave British, Commonwealth, American, French, Polish, and Czechoslovakian men who flew and died in these aircraft in an effort to end National Socialism.

[@selfdo]

ALMOST as good as a P-51 Mustang (using a licensed-built BRITISH engine) in RAF markings!

[@tsangarisjohn]

Our two great nations need each other in many ways. 🇺🇸🎊🇬🇧

[@keithhunter3910]

8:11 Mustang E2 S (4413926) was flown by Captain Urban Drew of the 375th Fighter Squadron. He had 6 confirmed kills including two ME262's. He also flew P-47s with the 413th Fighter Squadron on Iwo Jima.

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

Keith Mustangs were credited with 120 Me262 kills during the war !!! P47 got 25 and the Brits got 10 !!!

[@keithhunter3910]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 Statistics I did not know! Thank you.

[@mikeycraig8970]

@@keithhunter3910 coming from that nutjob they're probably fake.

[@jacktattis]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 Lies again Wilbur The plane the Me 262 pilots feared the most was the Tempest

[@jacktattis]

@@keithhunter3910 Wilbur Lies

[@cgrscott]

Very interesting overview of US embracing Brittish designed and manufactured military aircraft.

[@chefpetey]

My late father was a B26 pilot and he flew several recon missions in Mosquitoes. Never heard this mentioned by anyone before. Nice work!

[@marvwatkins7029]

Good to know these 'hands across the water' have gone both ways.

[@PeteCourtier]

A Rolls Royce Pegasus spooling down. Best sound ever👍

[@Joshua_N-A]

Any reason the Germans never use aircraft engines in the Tigers and Panthers?

[@RCAvhstape]

Even better is when it spools up! Standing on the flight line with a fire extinguisher while that beast spins up, and the forward nozzle wash starts flapping your pant legs.

[@PeteCourtier]

@@RCAvhstape I think you trumped me😂 Great stuff👍

[@pistolgrip44mag]

Love the history. Great work as always, Mark. Thank You!

[@davidmcknight4525]

Mark is the best, so humble, so respectful but still proud to be British!

[@templetse2293]

Thanks, this makes sense of a picture of my uncle during WW2 on a Spitfire as he told me that he was a P51 pilot.

[@nursedaniel72]

Thanks for uploading this video And for mentioning the brewster buffalo. As an Aussie we have an historic link to it. 🤠

[@markmullins7990]

Great video didn’t know USAAF used British planes so extensively

[@r2gelfand]

Beaufighter...Whispering death. Devastated AXIS shipping.

[@elliotgregory3356]

Apparently the Japanese were terrified of it?

[@g8ymw]

@@elliotgregory3356 Wouldn't surprise me. The Aussies were building and flying them

[@simunooi5306]

@@elliotgregory3356 I think that was the F4U Corsair. But I imagine it could have been any allied fighter they faced at that stage of the war.

[@matthewlok3020]

And I recall Dr Felton did a video on a daring mission to Paris to drop the tricolore

[@vk2ig]

@@g8ymw I had the pleasure of knowing two gentlemen who served in the RAAF on Beaufighters in the Pacific theatre. Sadly both of them have passed - one only this year. There is some debate about the "Whispering Death" name for the Beaufighter - it was said that the Japanese called it that, but there's a suspicion that was made up by a war correspondent.

[@businessjetguru1298]

The P51 Mustang was a British requirement that was designed and manufactured by North American, based upon a UK War Office RFP. The first operator of this type was the RAF. The Merlin engine was eventually manufactured under license in the US. The AAF also used Spitfires for European reconnaissance flying, finding the aircraft to be more reliable than their P38’s.

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

Business Jet But funny the Brits would also "Borrow" American P51A's that were set up for recon for long distance recon !!!

[@friedyzostas9998]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 Well yes! Make a request to the americans to build a plane, let them spend their money on improving the designs, then borrow the improved designs once it got better!

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

@@friedyzostas9998 North American was a great American aircraft company building the AT6 Texan and the B25 Mitchell bomber that That the Brits used in quantities during WWII !!! Dutch Kindelberger had been working on a new fighter design......BUT...The USAAF was not in the market for a new fighter or did they have the money for and the USA was NOT at that time at war, so no need for another fighter as they already had the P39 P39 P40 and P47 fighters....That all changed when war started, SO when the Brits showed up asking for the P40 Dutch saw this as an opportunity to sell his fighter !!! And that is exactly what happened!!! The Brits were desperate for fighters !!!! The Brits only ordered 620 of them, and when the Merlin mustang became available the brits received about 3,000 VIA LEND LEASE !!!!!

[@JamesBond-si7xs]

The Dr Felton productions are tremendous, but, equally, the ensuing discussions are also superbly informative and, often very witty. Great stuff !

[@kyle857]

That blue Spitfire is beautiful.

[@SpeccyMan]

Ever seen the pink one?

[@kineuhansen8629]

i adore the wooden wonder de havilland mosquito

[@martinjohnson9316]

There are three examples of the Mosquito fighter/bomber at the DeHavilland museum just to the south of StAlbans, UK....a nice little museum, well worth a visit if your near London.

[@kineuhansen8629]

@@martinjohnson9316 i hope one day

[@kineuhansen8629]

@@martinjohnson9316 my 3 favorite british planes from ww2 is spitfire mosquito and lancaster

[@chickenfishhybrid44]

The British also used the US built Vought Corsair. They get credit for developing the procedure for landing them back onto carriers which was at first a problem since pilots had visibility issues due to the large wings and engine.

[@Moldy_Crow1315]

I'm a Park Ranger in Colorado and I listen to your audio only videos and these while I drive around the parks Thanks for keeping me entertained!

[@johnrizzo2791]

I just want to say thanks for your channel. Very interesting content.

[@Fowlgun]

America: Hey, can we borrow some of those? Britain: You certainly can; that's what good friends do.

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

Fowlgun all those pilots ariving in England had to have SOMETHING to fly !!!!

[@mikeycraig8970]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 all 50 of them, it was a meagre amount of American pilots lol. So you ain't snatching the glory from OUR boys on that one!

[@friedyzostas9998]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 Why yes, of course. But not mandatory american designs. A pilot will fly the given plane, not the chosen plane. Today a Mustang, tomorow a Spitfire!

[@mikeycraig8970]

Just out of curiosity. Did a British bloke steal your woman or something. You're bitter! Are you confined to a wheel chair and don't get out much? I bet all your weeks dinners are splatted all over your ill fitting t shirts. That's the image I get the minute you start with your disrespectful spite. An old fat pensioner who has nobody, probably driven your own kids away or something like that. Whatever the story, I will place my house on you being one of life's abject failures!

[@icecoffee1361]

Mosquito what a plane great episode as always 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Dillonmac96]

Spitfire is so cool lol.. I’d nerd out it f I saw one flying by

[@1515327E]

I've had the joy of seeing the Spitfire flying close overhead twice in my life, and it is a rather wonderful feeling, I must say. The sound of the Merlin engine and that stunningly beautiful airframe. I do hope you get a chance to experience it.

[@alfnoakes392]

What actually happens is that you go numb, and stand there gawping with your mouth wide open : ). About 3 decades ago I was walking along clifftops on the South Wales coast when I saw two low-wing monoplanes approaching at clifftop height, about 100 yards out .. I recognised the Spitfires dihedral and front profile and just stood there as a Spitfire and a Hurricane roared close by. The RAF base where the Memorial Flight is based is just up the coast so they would have been out on a training flight or whatever. One of those memories that stays with you ...

[@nmr6988]

WWII just keeps on giving. Thank you @Mark Felton Productions for bringing all these fascinating stories to life.

[@warren010h]

This channel is a gem! I've always been fascinated by WW2 era planes ever since I was a kid. I think it's because I watched that (what I didn't realize was horrible lol) Pearl Harbor movie with Ben Affleck as a kid when I was like 8. Immediately got my mom to purchase Jane's WW2 Fighters (1998 release) sim, and was hooked! Ever since then, I've always found this era of aircraft extremely beautiful and fascinating!

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

The wife and I LOVE to pick movies apart for inaccuracies. When we walked out to the car after seeing "Pearl Harbor" I turned to her and asked "Well, do YOU want to start, or should I?" "PH" was a wasted opportunity. Stick with "Tora-Tora-Tora" if you want the definative Pearl Harbor film.

[@fuferito]

"A bomber made of _wood_ has proved its _mettle."_ Gotta love that war time propaganda cheese. Not being ironic either.

[@nedludd7622]

Felton has done a couple of episodes on the Mosquito.

[@stevejauncey3086]

I believe that mosquito was on a tour of Canada and was sadly crashed with the lost of the crew. There was an article in After the battle magazine.

[@slick_slicers]

The Mosquito had the same bomb load capacity as the B17 Flying Fortress, but flew higher and faster, with crew of only 2. It was the future model of aviation.

[@expfcwintergreenv2.02]

I’m curious about a price comparison

[@slick_slicers]

@@expfcwintergreenv2.02 price wasn’t the issue that limited supply, it was the number of available, skilled woodworkers.

[@insideoutsideupsidedown2218]

Mossie had an either or bomb capability. The B17 was more versatile.

[@sarjim4381]

The Mosquito wasn't close in bombload, even on paper. Although the theoretical maximum bomb load was 4,000 pounds, that was for a mission of less than 700 miles round trip. A more typical bombload was 2,500 pounds. The B-17 carried 4,500 pounds over ranges three times as long as the Mosquito, and had an internal bombload of 8,000 pounds over a 1,400 mile radius. A maximum bombload with external racks for a 700 mile mission was over 17,000 pounds. The B-17 was a slow but heavy strategic bomber while the Mosquito was a light but fast bomber, and later one of the first true multirole aircraft.

[@Simon_Nonymous]

@@slick_slicers it wasn't really, it was the number of engines available. The woodwork/assembly aspect didn't rely on skilled labour that much. Source: Haynes Owners Manual.

[@kellywright540]

Ain't gonna lie, seeing a Spitfire or a Mosquito decked out in American markings is kinda weird but cool nonetheless!

[@rnstoo1]

I hear you. But its a great example of the UK/ USA cooperation during WW2

[@Shadowfax-1980]

A few of the British WWII aircraft in USAAF markings are on display at the US Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH.

[@jackmehoff1840]

3:04 great to see the Beau featured, a most underrated plane and one the Japanese feared the most (calling it Whispering Death), great video Mark

[@janiceduke1205]

GOERING ON THE MOSQUITO: “In 1940 I could at least fly as far as Glasgow in most of my aircraft, but not now! It makes me furious when I see the Mosquito. I turn green and yellow with envy. The British, who can afford aluminum better than we can, knock together a beautiful wooden aircraft that every piano factory over there is building, and they give it a speed which they have now increased yet again. What do you make of that? There is nothing the British do not have. They have the geniuses and we have the nincompoops. After the war is over I’m going to buy a British radio set - then at least I’ll own something that has always worked.”- Hermann Göring, 1943. The highest compliment the Mosquito ever received is this angry statement from Göring. A Mosquito famously knocked his broadcast off the radio during a speech. 🤣 bzzzzzz 🦟🦟🦟 ​👏​👏​👏​

[@nightjarflying]

You should check your sources - there is no evidence anywhere this is a genuine Göring quote & only a Hollywood Nazi would use the word "nincompoop."

[@nightjarflying]

@Raymond Cyst You are suggesting that I'm the nincompoop with your ellipses, but of course you will not be able to find the original German 'quote' anywhere, nor any information as to who he was speaking to, where it happened & when. As I wrote above "there is no evidence anywhere this is a genuine Göring quote". The closest I can get is a German aircraft manufacturer's conference three weeks after Mosquitoes bombed Berlin in 1943 - timed to coincide with a Göring radio speech. Göring went on a five hour rant at the conference in which he asked why they couldn't copy the Mossie & also why British airborne radar was ahead of the German technology at that time. The 'quote' is a mishmash of things he said over a few hours from the memory of people there - hence his reference to British radio in a quote about an aircraft. It isn't a quote at all - just a distillation of part of the thousands of words he blathered.

[@henwilvw9376]

@nightjarflying , there are plenty of words in German that could translate quite nicely into 'nincompoop' bearing in mind that German tends to be rather less banal than English.

[@icarus372]

Doctor: "Don't worry hans the american spitfire is not real it can't hurt you." American spitfire:

[@morrisbuschmeier2047]

I miss German Z-accent. Dön't wörrie.

[@lolofblitz6468]

Heheheh Bf 109 nemesis of spitfire

[@simunooi5306]

Japanese pilot: Major Yoshi, I shot down a dozen British Buffalos today. Major: Ahaha. That, as the Americans say, is bullshit!

[@PantherBlitz]

@@simunooi5306 Now now, we all know that they were never able to find a dozen Buffalos that would be able to fly without overheating on the ground.

[@djzrobzombie2813]

Can you make a video about the tornado aircraft ? It's also British :)

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

The Tornado was only part-British as it was a collaborate Euro-project with Germany and Italy.

[@djzrobzombie2813]

@@MarkFeltonProductions yes that's true and Germany still is using it 😉... Some goes for the euro fighter also a British German and I think Spanish or French project

[@Foose3535]

Mark felton always makes the day better

[@rbilleaud]

I have a couple of suggestions for you Dr. Felton. How about an episode on the French Air Force pre-1940? Or you could do one on indigenous aircraft of minor powers such as Avia of Czechoslovakia or IAR of Romania.

[@jameseldridge4185]

and remember what made the p-51 so great was its Rolls Royce engine

[@insideoutsideupsidedown2218]

And the laminar air flow wing.

[@jameseldridge4185]

@@insideoutsideupsidedown2218 bloody good comment!

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

James Eldridge WRONG !!!! It was its PACKARD built and MODIFIED version PLUS its laminar flow wing slick clean aerodynamics revolutionary radiator housing and it wide 4 Blades Hamilton prop !! It was the total package !! NOT just the engine !!!!

[@nickdanger3802]

@@jameseldridge4185 Lord Beaverbrook "The Packhard Rolls-Royce engine is an example to the whole world. There was a very good American aeroplane called the Mustang. The engine of the Mustang was giving good service, but some genius had the idea of putting Rolls-Royce engines into the Mustangs, and the result is a very good aeroplane, one of the best in the world-some people will say the very best. That was the result of this project in America over which the Ministry had no supervision, although the contract was made here by the Minister." below 809 Hansard FLEET AIR ARM. 27 January 1943

[@alfnoakes392]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 Agree it was a combination of design features, plus the fact it was designed for easy mass-production by (relatively) unskilled workers who had to be recruited and trained quickly.

[@EricDaMAJ]

The transition was simple. Just get the technical manuals translated to proper English, remove the unnecessary tea kettles, tea sets, and scone storage, add some coffee holders and we're good to go. Keep the decals in the cockpit that read "Tallyho!" for flavor.

[@johnedwards1685]

What? Fly a Spitfire without a decent china tea set?

[@georgebuller1914]

'Proper English!?' Good Gad sir - are you trying to rekindle the War of Independence - which the British won by the way! ;-) Remove the Scone storage if you must - but the Tea sets? NEVER!!! ;-)

[@ottovonbismarck2443]

LOL, great humor here. As a German, I am quite neutral to the subject, although I prefer coffee over tea; you can't have Bier at 9 o'clock (which is 9 a.m. for people who can't count past 12). Not saying I don't like a good cup of tea in "fine China". And scones are fine, thank you. About the proper English language: both the US and Manchester are leaving the discussion ... Btw, Adolf Galland had a cigar lighter installed in his 109F. I assume he had a Cognac holder as well.

[@georgebuller1914]

@@ottovonbismarck2443 A cigar lighter AND a Cognac holder? It'd never get past modern-day health and safety regulations! LOL

[@ottovonbismarck2443]

@@georgebuller1914 That's when people refer to the "good ol' times". I remember 25 years ago washing my hands with petrol or diesel to get rid of that nasty tar we used to make cellars watertight. Wasn't even considered "dangerous" or "unhealthy". Hands are still there.

[@blue387]

I wonder if the US Army ever got the chance to evaluate the T-34, the US gave large numbers of tanks and trucks to the Soviets through Lend-Lease, did anything go back to the US?

[@demonprinces17]

Gave us rare earths

[@zxbzxbzxb1]

A T-34 was sent to the US for evaluation in early 1942. The UK received one too and a KV-1

[@chaddamp2894]

Another fabulous post,thanks Mark !!

[@SableOrpheon]

Diggin' the RAF march past in that American DH-98 footage

[@WolfingtonStanley]

"Oh what a lovely sight! Spitfires with American markings, so there was something of ours that they were using, usually it was us borrowing from them." Spike Milligan, Mussolini his part in my downfall

[@anthonywilson4873]

Great stuff to have there was a war on old boy. We paid for it all with interest. Only paid off lend lease in recent History.

[@selfdo]

Adolf Galland is reputed to have answered, as the Battle of Britain was not going well for the Luftwaffe and Goring came to visit to see what could be done to turn the tide in their favor, what was needed: "A squadron of SPITFIRES!"

[@Wombat1916]

@@selfdo Yes, that turned up in the film "Battle of Britain". Classic!

[@stevefox8605]

Fascinating! The Spitfire just looks wrong with anything other than an RAF roundel on it!! Juat such a shame we got rid of the Harrier and replaced it with expensive junk. Thank you Dr F 👍🏻👍🏻

[@jafr99999]

The Aircraft you replaced it with is far Superior to the Original. We still fly them both... There is no comparison.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

Your are wrong in your conclusions.

[@sethjansson5652]

Another commoner tea drinker lol

[@jafr99999]

@Raymond Cyst Actually, the US built their own version of the Harrier. The AV8B Harrier II built by McDonnell Douglas.

[@jafr99999]

@Raymond Cyst All variants of the F-35 are currently in service with the US Airforce, US Marines and US Navy. They are deployed in forward areas for all three Services and operating as designed. They are in fact now deployed on the HMS Queen Elizabeth as well.

[@ME262MKI]

The last part before took me by surprise, didn't knew NASA took part during the war in Afghanistan

[@veritasvincit2745]

A small amount of DH Tiger Moths and Dragon Rapides were operated by American units as communications aircraft and general hacks. I've seen pictures of them both with stars and bars markings. Also some American units used the Boulton Paul Defiant as gunnery practice target tugs.

[@Perichoresis777]

Another well-made video. Thank you Mark.

[@marineboy1964]

That harrier what a feat of engineering

[@SamanthaGuttesen]

Yeah, so good, that after the recent upgrade to gr9 status, that David Cameron scrapped them. A decision that will never sit right.

[@pilkipilki4472]

From a French design

[@friedyzostas9998]

@Raymond Cyst The concept of VTOL was indeed studied by the french probably more than every other nation. And while the brits took a peek at the frenchies' homework, Harrier is still a fully fledged british design

[@4rdF1Hunny]

I’ve always loved the Mosquito! I never knew we (USA) had some of our own essentially.

[@geoffboxell9301]

Many were made in Canada.

[@selfdo]

The Mosquito and the P-38 Lightning proved that the German concept of the "Zerstorer" (Destroyer), a twin-engine fighter, was correct. However, their own Me-110 was quite underpowered by comparison, as they were behind in aircraft piston engine technology. A case of one of "battles" of WWII being "won" by the signing of the Versailles treaty. Georges Clemanceau knew what he was doing!

[@phillipknox5010]

@@geoffboxell9301 Correct - he neglected to include that in his "British designed and built" sentence. Also built the Lancaster bomber in Canada too and the Harvard trainers I think.

[@EmperorHirohito-kv2uc]

Please for the love of god at least reply to this, Mark. Please do an episode on the Ukrainian Insurgent Army !

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

I'll look into it!

[@EmperorHirohito-kv2uc]

@@MarkFeltonProductions Huzzah, thank you, dearly, i've been on your channel for 4 years now, and your content keeps getting better

[@hansvandekoet3925]

Hi mark

[@bravo0105]

Thanks for covering reverse Lend-Lease, Dr. Felton! Tamiya

[@henriknilsson7851]

I did not know the Beaufighter was in USAAF service. Great footage as always! You set a very high standard for WWII/Cold War on KZbin!

[@r2gelfand]

Didn't Mosquitos have trouble operating in the Pacific theater because the humid weather compromised its structural integrity?

[@petersouthernboy6327]

Yes, that is true. The ANZACs preferred the Beau fighter. The Mossie had real problems in Burma

[@nightjarflying]

This is mostly a myth - it was established late in the war that batches of Mosquitoes were improperly built with unauthorised shortcuts taken in the gluing/bonding process. A correctly constructed Mossie had the same designed operational life as all military aircraft of the era [say 100 sorties] - building/designing for a long operational life is an expensive error unless it's peacetime. A problem that ALL aircraft faced in the tropics was the expansion/contraction of joints in a 24 hr day cycle from cool to hot & back to cool & performance failures of rubber, latex & the coverings for wiring - also the joints for fuel & oil lines - constant maintenance & initial good design are essential - not always possible in faraway war zones with limited supplies & tools.

[@alfnoakes392]

@@nightjarflying Very informative, thanks.

[@edmedlin2109]

Another outstanding history lesson by Dr Felton! This made my Monday. Question, though: didn’t the P-51 use Rolls Royce Merlin engines, as they were superior to the US-made engines?

[@lordulberthellblaze6509]

Yes they did Specifically, Packard licensed Merlin 61 engines that were fitted on the Spitfire mk IXs The reason was that the Merlins had superior performance at high altitude compared to the Allison engines initially used by P51s

[@hughjass1044]

I believe they used both the Allison and the Merlin in different variants at different times.

[@jerry2357]

One can argue that the P51 wouldn’t have existed without the British input. The early marks with the Allison engine were built to meet a British requirement (before the US entered the war). The British suggested that it would be a better plane with a Merlin engine, and produced the first prototype with this engine. So the iconic P51D wouldn’t have existed without the British, in two senses.

[@Pitcairn2]

Later Mustangs fitted with Merlins built under licence by Packard . Original P51 engine was the Allison.

[@martinjohnson9316]

I always thought the majority of Merlin engines were manufactured by Packard under Rolls Royce licence as the british factories could'nt make them in enough quantities. So likely to be packard sourced i presume.

[@smoketinytom]

How many planes will I have to add to my list of “Didn’t know they used them”.

[@lonniebailey4989]

Yes

[@crispinjulius5032]

The amount of superb content Mark produces is nothing short of astounding.

[@TheFlatlander440]

I worked with a gentleman back in the 1980's who was a navigator on a Mosquito in the 8th Airforce. He was also a navigator on B-24 Liberators before transferring to the Mosquito in 1945. RIP Ken.