Pre-season test running of a 1943 Rolls-Royce Merlin aero engine.

David Irwin, co-founder of the Historic Aero Engines group, test running a Rolls-Royce Merlin Mk500-29 following winter maintenance.
HAE is a Facebook group of aero engine enthusiasts (see link below). The engine owners can display these engines at public events to inspire an interest in our aero engineering heritage, for visitors young and old.
It is being test run on a farm (ed. without neighbours!), before the start of the public event season. Check our Facebook page for the public event calendar.
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This Merlin is a single stage, two-speed supercharged, T24-2 spec engine rated at 1,620hp at +18psi supercharger boost pressure. The propeller is a fully functioning Hamilton Standard 23EX, with constant speed and feathering functions, and has been cropped to 8 feet diameter from its original 13 feet. Maximum display power is typically 2,300rpm at -2psi boost (approximately 500hp).
Original manufactured as a Merlin Mk22 in June 1943 at the Rolls-Royce Derby factory in England, probably for an Avro Lancaster Mk1. Upgraded in 1945 to a T24-2 engine for an Avro York used by RAF Transport Command. In the early 1950s the engine was renumbered and sold in a batch of 400 Merlins to CASA in Spain for use on the CASA 2.111 bomber. Obsolete by the mid 1970s and returned to the UK for use in a research wind tunnel until being acquired by David in 2007 (ed. from a batch of five engines that were due to be dismantled for spare parts).
contact: [e-mail]
website: / historicaeroengines
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The Historic Aero Engine is a Facebook group of aero engine enthusiasts from a variety of engineering and technical backgrounds, who share a common interest in researching, restoring, and preserving our aero engine heritage. Some of the engines are restored to ground running condition, and when invited, can display these at public events as a means of celebrating our heritage and inspiring the next generation of young engineers.
#rollsroyce #engineering #aircraft #merlin #rollsroycemerlin #learning #entertainment #technology

[@TheMcIke]

Only in England would you find a guy wearing a cardigan testing a 1943 Rolls-Royce Merlin engine in his backyard... Thanks for maintaining this piece of history instead of having it put in a museum to sit and rot!

[@karloarsch1579]

I missed a necktie though...

[@tazgecko]

Ah England, don't change ...

[@downtowngames4631]

I've seen this happen a few times at random in my life its not even rare lol I remember walking my dog and at this car park there was a older geezer just casually revving his spitfire engine on a rig similar but connected to his car lmao great tho that people keep these just to use them and maintain them keeping them good because letting them sit can't be any good let the beast out 😂

[@cda32]

That's why it's so windy here

[@Ben-id3op]

We have winters we need something to do.

[@dreddwailing5505]

A man who will never waste an afternoon raking leaves off his lawn 😀

[@confusedofhinckley5294]

Turn that rig through 90 degrees, and it will make it will make one hell of a Flymo (oh - may need to reverse the prop pitch, or it will make one hell of a tunnelling machine)

[@dazza7433]

😂

[@djowen5192]

😂😂

[@Frostie3672]

Why pick up leaves anyway, hedgehogs use leaves as bedding for their nest, fun fact I thought I'd mention!

[@jimbobjimbob8275]

He will just blow them into the next county

[@metalmick]

Wife: “Why can’t you have a normal hobby like Bill next door. He’s got a lovely model railway”?

[@joshcarter-com]

Next time my neighbors think I’m a bit strange for setting up amateur radio antennas in the yard, I’ll send them this.

[@concernedfriend.9329]

Homie just decided heck with the question mark placement just toss it at the end of the comment.

[@thargor6750]

Hahahahaha... sending to my wife

[@ixxxxxxx]

@@concernedfriend.9329 lmao

[@richardoakley8800]

Bill was so fed up with the noise he brought a class 37..

[@ralphreay5363]

Cant believe I watched this till the end. I was mesmerised, what a thing of beauty

[@djcie1018]

Same

[@4TheMotorist]

The rolls royce merlin engine was pretty good to 🤣

[@Ben-id3op]

What a sound. 12 thumpers working well.

[@DingbatToast]

Glad he was wearing his safety cardigan. Beautiful engine. Amazing sound 👌

[@joadt]

Haha!

[@jacksonsmith5490]

It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood!

[@johnross7572]

Nylon Jumper, for extra spark.

[@cblack1green]

You know this man was thrown out the model train club 😂

[@andysim232]

He's banned from the golf club....

[@IMAPUGFAN205]

If my grandfather was around to see this he would love this! He was an Australian RAF pilot, went to England and flew mosquitos.

[@australiantruckspotting8883]

Whatever he’s got chocking that trailer is doing an awesome job.

[@Filkersons]

His balls of steel keep the thing pinned to the neatly mown lawn.

[@banzaiib]

this is the most British thing i think i've ever seen. Cheers!

[@nigelburton5376]

And he tows it with a discovery

[@mtnviper1963]

I watched this video twice, but I’ve closed my eyes and listened to it dozens of times. I am 61 years old, have never been a pilot and never will. As I listen, I thank god for the engineers that created such a magnificent engine but even more so, all the brave pilots that flew them.

[@AndreiTupolev]

That's the most smoke-free start up I've ever seen! 😁

[@garethbarnes3680]

That is the sound of freedom! Without this incredible engine the British aircraft may have struggled....And obviously the P51 mustang too...we owe the designers pilots groundcrew etc such a debt of gratitude

[@Chris-hw4mq]

they just did their job, their ass was on the line too

[@maxmoritz5065]

Freedom😂😂😂 Nice freedom they brought Slaves of the World banks wich germany fought against

[@calibos3329]

May have struggled? So... You're thinking they didn't struggle? 😂

[@Ariaga_II]

“Honey, I am going to cut the grass and trim some of the shrubs. I will be back inside in an hour.”

[@gammr3227]

why do you have to be a hater@@Chris-hw4mq

[@mintsauce101]

I’m just glad we still have people like this in the world, in 100 years time this will be a distant memory.

[@geoffspitfire5160]

Beautiful - just the thing to wake up the neighborhood on a Sunday morning.

[@IanH-UK]

I would love to be this man's neighbour - really!

[@jimcfds]

The Rolls-Royce Merlin has to be one of the most famous engines of all time. Truly an engineering beauty!

[@Medi-Cali]

Reminds me of when great Britain was great, great video

[@audibleadventures9004]

Great Britain is a geographical term.

[@K20XRL]

@@audibleadventures9004always one

[@Vern180]

Loved when the prop rotation matched the frame rate of the camera and looked like it was spinning very slowly! Thats a master-class of engineering!

[@lilorbielilorbie2496]

Vern180 Just like when you watch a western movie and the wagon wheels look like they are going backwards.

[@davemcdave2169]

I'll be honest, I was waiting for it to fall off, take off or take his arm off. Beautiful engine. My granddad worked on them during the war, he was an aircraft fitter and engine mechanic.

[@RaggyAl1971]

Not many Merlins run as smooth as this one.

[@453421abcdefg12345]

I think that is because it has some load on it from having prop blades, that seems to smooth it out much more.

[@HistoricAeroEngines]

The propeller mass (210kgs) certainly provides a flywheel moment, but smooth running requires even detonation. Not easy and it varies from run to run.

[@OKtGCGOEM1SS]

Superb Symphony - A true man from the old generation when life was real. Thank You Sir!

[@bjornjohansson4911]

Thank you for the music. 😀The Rolls Royce voice is magic. This is a beautiful setup. Top class!

[@samuelbistline4973]

I just want to say thank you. This video gives me goose bumps. I could not imagine hearing these engines come over head in the big war on D Day. Thank you all to all the veterans who flew these engines on all of those planes. Freedom does not come cheap. Thank you.

[@fredfarnackle5455]

I was born in 1940, just before the Battle Of Britain, I remember when I was about 4 years old hearing the Lancaster bombers going overhead to unload on the enemy. The sound of squadrons of four Merlin engined Lancasters was something I will never forget. We owe a great debt to all those that took to the skies in our defence, and to those that made them and maintained them.🇬🇧🇦🇺

[@TehButterflyEffect]

​@@fredfarnackle5455Hey you must have heard my grandfather in his B-24 Liberator.

[@DrunkenDemon]

Sounds like a well kept motor to me.

[@394824]

Thank you so much for preserving this marvellous fusion of technological and artistic brilliance. It’s job was to get guns and pilot to and from action but what a sight and sound into the bargain

[@ravenx447]

What a fabulous garden feature, definitely puts my bird bath to shame Hope to see it somewhere soon 👊🏻

[@d4untless261]

That engine was literally producing a tornado at 2,300 rpm's 😮 the merlin.... Nothing beats hearing/seeing one roar!

[@DeborahBurnage]

I'm so jealous, what a piece of history to own

[@TonyVainosky]

Well, this is one of the most random, but completely badass, videos I've ever seen

[@peterharvey1762]

I live is Gosport and have have the pleasure most weekends of hearing and seeing the twin seater spitfire that runs out of the old HMS Daedalus air field in Lee on the Solent , never tire of that sound

[@jekylthorn8969]

Beautiful! That sound when at slow idle is the greatest!

[@Slong970]

The start up and running of this engine sounded amazing and so clean! Not just on the outside, but in general. Smokeless 😎 cleaner than the manufacturing of electric vehicles and solar panels. Shoot, this 80 year old engine started up and ran cleaner than cars out on the road right now 💨

[@ernsthammargren1899]

Extremely nice engineering packet. Runs amazingly beautiful! 😊

[@davegavin7914]

Rolls Royce when Britain 🇬🇧ruled the engineering world ! 🙏🏻👍🏻🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@frankE91210]

lets not get too carried away 🤣🤣🤣

[@jungatheart1036]

No seriously once it did!

[@petemaly8950]

​@@frankE91210 UK combined per capita combined aerospace + nuclear + defence sector activity is world's highest. An airline has just ordered - 60 Rolls Royce Trent XWB Gas Turbine Aero Engines.

[@grahamkay6142]

Good to see im not the only one who loved listening to this beauty with headphones on , even the operator does the same 👍🏻

[@stevievdubaru9487]

thats the first time i have seen one run thats not not popping and farting and smoking, superb build and running piece of kit, well done you ,what a sound , me want one

[@apollogray2014]

David wins the prize for the coolest leaf blower ever!! These old aero engines are amazing. Nothing sounds like these beasts!

[@rob3942]

Beautiful. Ear candy. Thanks for posting. Go well

[@glumpy10]

This thing purrs like a Kitten. Every other Merlin I have seen or heard coughs and farts and runs Kinda ragged. This one is buttery smooth. Beautiful engine and fantastically presented. Thanks for putting up the vid, pleasure to watch!

[@t.a.7970]

At my first glance at the thumbnail I thought this was going to be a Merlin powered lawnmower....which would be a very good idea.

[@nevar108]

The sound of that engine is an absolute wonder. It evokes all the feelings, all at once.

[@marshgatelaneposse]

That smile at the 3 minute mark says it all really I am sure you don’t need telling it runs perfectly hopefully you will be at Santa Pod and I can hear it in the flesh

[@HistoricAeroEngines]

We will have another Merlin at SP in October. Busy year of HAE events; check our Facebook page for more info.

[@scottobrien3484]

Possibly the best sound ever created!!

[@projectturbocoupe4897]

Definitely winner of “Coolest Trailer” award.

[@TCPLY]

Nice running engine, no smoke, great tuning and build.

[@garywade1938]

Good to see a man doing manly things in this silly world we live , this should be shown in schools to show young men its good to be man still . Also if this guy was my neighbour I wouldn't mind this kind of noise any time of the day . Well done Sir .

[@SentinalUAV]

Yes far too much of these MGBGT Politically correct pronoun types😊

[@matty4143]

We are lucky to get somone like this in a neighbourhood. Looks like he is not in a town, so probably people from far and wide get to share the symphony. In the past the guy down the road was Jim, a vintage scrambler rider+engineer, great bloke; specialist knowledge, and a friendly-inclusive outlook on life.

[@KiltedGreen]

Are you real?

[@JurassicJungle]

It would be better in the clear the leaves as winter starts

[@petergedd9330]

GGGrrrrrrrrr

[@sheppy101]

Magnificent. Great work keeping this beauty alive

[@Ian-xq4rt]

Boys and their toys, and oh boy, what a toy. Love the Merlin as most people do, but the sound in the air is so much better, but still great (and very jealous).

[@theflyingfool]

Awesome, and a beautiful example of that iconic engine!

[@30041946]

Fantastic .. a pleasure to see a well maintained engine "on song"!!

[@richardfox2865]

Down in Wiltshire during a peaceful afternoon 😅, hehehe; this gentleman is amazing.

[@HeyCraze]

God I wish I could experience something like that. Nothing but Pure Raw power and sound! I'm from a small corner here in the US and I Never get to see anything like this; Nor have I ever been able to hear a Merlin in-person. Maybe one day though!

[@HistoricAeroEngines]

Where abouts are you? In the US, the P-51 Mustang (which has the Packard V-1650 Merlin) is a relatively common sight. To hear a Merlin at full power close up is quite an experience; it is as much felt as heard.

[@HeyCraze]

@@HistoricAeroEngines I am in a little place called Maryville Tennessee the closest airport to me is Alcoa airport and a couple years ago we had the B-17 Ye Ol Pub fly by for a couple of days I think it was like $500 or something to get in for a tour around the aircraft. The most common thing that I get that flies over my house is small Cessna Aircraft. that, and some modern-day jetliners.

[@HeyCraze]

@@HistoricAeroEngines I live in Maryville Tennessee Very close to Alcoa Airport. A couple of years ago I was able to glance at the B-17 Ye Ole Pub while we was passing on the highway. I even saw her in our local newspaper. But the most common aircraft I have that passes over my house is light Cessna aircraft and modern jetliners. I know from the several different times of hearing these Monsters of war, that Hearing and seeing them through video does not do justice and is better experienced in-person.

[@johndavey72]

Wonderful ! A priviledge to see and hear . Thankyou

[@HistoricAeroEngines]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@DPWian]

I’ve never seen such a beautiful trailer in my life.

[@andrewsamson9603]

Absolutely amazing ❤

[@beaver9757]

Chocks away, Biggles. Amazing.

[@UkuleleBobbyKemp]

Now that sir, is a sound!! I'm sat here listening to this, from my Mac and thru my Bose PA system... (typical Bachelor/Sound Guy ), and it sounds just as lovely as when I filmed a Spitfire at close quarters... Wonderful, and thanks so much for sharing... 🙏 BK 🐭

[@idaho2ndgens240]

Dang, this would have made my father smile. He flew P-51's in WWII. I was fortunate to win the auction for a 1 hr ride in a P-51 trainer in Fargo, ND. Best $400 I ever spent. Thank you for keeping this incredible engine alive and well, what a thrill it must be to do that!!

[@lesliemarincsak3992]

The most beautiful sound in the world!!! ❤❤❤

[@user-vv9bq4ed3q]

What a wonderful sound!!

[@camperblackmagic7603]

That sound is the sound of victory ✌️ when Britain had people with a backbone running the country.

[@cashtimevideo1501]

One of the finest examples of British engineering! I've been lucky enough to get up close and personal with fully working WW2 planes at a local air museum, the Spitfire among them. It never ceases to amaze me just how brave those pilots were. No time for months of training and testing, off you went, and hoped you returned in one piece!

[@NickDoddTV]

The lens/shutter speed effect at different RPMs is neat.

[@ISOSAILING]

I only found out after my dad passed away that he was fully licenced to work on Merlin engines as he was a aircraft engineer i in the raf in the fiftys, i thought that was pritty dam cool!!

[@user-fz8fy4zl1c]

Only once had I the privilege of seeing and hearing a spit fly low over my garden,it was so loud and engine sounded like it was doing 20k rpm! Hope I get one more chance at hearing one again, before I kick the proverbial bucket!

[@Twinpot1962]

Simply superb……thank you.

[@jeremyrimmer9247]

Absolutely glorious sound! Best appreciated with good quality headphones.

[@nigelw598]

Now that is my kind of “spending time in the garden”. Cheers 🍻

[@Mr.Mopar.23-7]

Any video of mechanical things is awesome, especially without unnecessary music.

[@matthewpayne42]

What a beautiful sound.

[@rochford59]

Beautiful piece of British engineering,combined with one of the most elegant and most beautiful aircrafts ever made...superb!!...need l say more?

[@manfromthemist1958]

thank you so very much for showing this amazing engine running at its best, they are the most famous engine in the world and when you hear one flying you know immediately what it is. please keep up the good work.

[@billywhizz6483]

This is brilliant, about as British as you can get! Love to the neighbours :)

[@jeffd4056]

Beautiful Just Beautiful Thank you for sharing

[@carlmalone4011]

Great presentation of a wonderful engine!

[@ogopogo1916]

Built with slide rulers and innovation. Amazing tech.

[@mikeyg5700]

I was just waiting for that engine to take off with him hanging on for dear life 😂 Well done for preserving such an iconic piece of history!

[@mouseanalyse]

I’m amazed at how balanced this engine is. Very little movement of that trailer. 😮 Sounds incredible. 😍

[@bullant3370]

I swear I saw this running in the carpark at a very small local airshow in country Scotland back in 2000. What a blast!

[@cgoodwin256]

Straight piped 12 cylinder season really is the best season of the year.

[@FiveBlackFootedFerrets]

Rolls Royce Merlin engine. Perfection in engineering with a dash of magic.🎉

[@spikephotography]

How amazing and what fun! Not a leaf in sight on his lawn!

[@memofrf]

Good work. Thank you.

[@davidsnuggs7623]

That’s one beautiful leaf blower I need one 😊

[@lawrencemartin1113]

You must have wonderful neighbours!! What a fantastic engine. I have often seen a variety of these 'static' mounted engines running at various airshows over the years. My son and I often joked about having one in the back garden to see what the neighbours would do!😂 Fantastic to see this one running.

[@FrazerSmithsChannel]

Beautiful. My Grandad was in 602 Squadron during the war, working on the Merlins. Never lost his love for the engine.

[@se7enmax]

Working for a camera rental company in London I was sent out to a studio, Pinewood or Shepperton to operate a high speed camera on a car commercial. In this huge space they had a car side on to a Rolls Royce Merlin engine far back from it and my camera was side on from the engine looking at the car. I wasnt sure what was going to happen then a Fire Engine came in and the guys laide out there hoses. This big Englishman came over who I had met before on a few shoots as he worked for a special effects company and briefed me up on the shoot. He then went up and stood right beside the pistons of the Merlin and fired it up and when it reached high speed the Fire Brigade opened the hoses behind the propeller which blasted a curtain of water over the car. I got a bit nervous as all the lighting cables and my mains cables to the camera were getting submerged in water. Luckily it was a one take wonder. I'm retired now but I am so gratefull to have met so many brave and hard working people in the Film industry around the World.

[@HistoricAeroEngines]

Very interesting. There is a recent post on our Facebook page with a photo of these engines. This is the post: facebook.com/groups/598119237203242/posts/2188661534815663/

[@bassjace]

I wish I had this guy as my neighbour.

[@tcon1479]

Incredible!!! I can’t imagine who some Collectors or aircraft restoration experts would pay to have this bad boy

[@darknes7800]

What an absolutely stunning piece of mechanical artwork ! Cheers !

[@Mad21X]

Wow, wish I had a you as a neighbour. Seems like you have a lot of knowledge

[@majordog2399]

What a piece of kit! Bet your popular with the neighbours 😂. Such a beautiful roar.

[@98Blackbess]

I would truly love to own one of those beautiful engines. The sound alone is just something else. Thank you for sharing this video with us all.

[@sishabadab6570]

Doubt there will ever be a Tesla engined fighter.. What a glorious piece of engineering..

[@howtorepairpendulumclocks]

Totally top work. Inspiring.

[@smmmokin]

This dude is the only reason we are safe in the skies. Giant corporations always leave me wondering but I'd get on any plane this guy takes care of. Personally I would not walk by spinning propellers because what if....I still trust someone like this more than I do airlines.

[@TehButterflyEffect]

He's giving the prop a very wide beth. He's quite safe.

[@beardedwoodpecker]

Absolutely Stunning!!!!! Thank you for sharing it with us All the best Yiannis( retired airline Captain)

[@jameslangston3903]

Excellent Video thanks for sharing one of Britain`s greatest achievements. Few years ago stood behind a Spitfire starting up prior to a Battle of Britain display flight and felt that force, power and awesome sound. Thanks again for the reminder 🤠👍

[@JamesYoung61]

It is a real pleasure to see a Merlin put through it's paces, judging by the notes you put up there is quite a lot going on to get it up to full boost and full load with the propeller. It would be great to have a technical walk through of what is going on and if you don't want to do it I am sure that there are quite a few Brit KZbinrs that would love to do it.

[@HistoricAeroEngines]

Hello James, the sub titles in the video explain what I am doing during the run. Max load was 2,300rpm and -2psi boost, which equates to approx 500hp only. Full power would be 3,000rpm and +18psi boost, or 1,620hp. More information on the groups Facebook page.

[@JamesYoung61]

@@HistoricAeroEngines Thank you for additional information.

[@kiwidiesel]

@@HistoricAeroEngines That +18psi is on top of atmospheric pressure is it not? Actual boost 33psi at manofold?

[@HistoricAeroEngines]

Yes.

[@ivanoxx]

cant believe that 18yr olds were flying with these beasts during WW2

[@johnvcramer5517]

Of all the Rolls-Royce Merlin engines i have seen this is by fer the best rebuild.!!!!!!