Rolls-Royce Merlin Engine

Considered a British icon, the Merlin was one of the most successful aircraft engines of the World War II era, and many variants were built by Rolls-Royce in Derby, Crewe and Glasgow,as well as by Ford of Britain at their Trafford Park factory, near Manchester. The Packard V-1650 was a version of the Merlin built in the United States. Production ceased in 1950 after a total of almost 150,000 engines had been delivered, the later variants being used for airliners and military transport aircraft.
The PV-12 first ran in 1933 and, after several modifications, the first production variants were built in 1936. The first operational aircraft to enter service using the Merlin were the Fairey Battle, Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire. More Merlins were made for the four-engined Avro Lancaster heavy bomber than for any other aircraft; however, the engine is most closely associated with the Spitfire, starting with the Spitfire's maiden flight in 1936. A series of rapidly applied developments, brought about by wartime needs, markedly improved the engine's performance and durability.
Many ascribe the victory during the Battle of Britain to the Merlin powered Royal Air Force (RAF). And later its use in the American P-51 Mustang.
RR-58
For Licensing:
Global ImageWorks, LLC.,
65 Beacon Street
Haworth, New Jersey 07641
[e-mail]
telephone: [phone]
fax: [phone]

[@malcolmpettett5957]

Don't forget everyone who you see here is on a ration diet

[@millarlambie2970]

My Mother was trained by RR and worked on the Merlin project in Hillington

[@paulmeads802]

I served my apprenticeship at RR Derby as a sheetmetal worker, 1968 to 1973. In my last year as a 19 year old I was sent to do a repair on the RR spitfire, which then had a Griffin engine and 5 blade prop. When I got to the hanger I found i only had to replace 3 countersunk rivets in a wing panel. Job done and signed off I was on cloud nine, It was such a privilege to be even asked to touch the thing let alone contribute to its up-keep.

[@graemejwsmith]

Just saw my grandmother! She was a "tracer" at Hillington - duplicating master drawings. We still have her drawing pens.

[@Querencias7]

And to think that these achievements came about in an era when there where simply no PCs, no laptops, no tablets, no CAD; not even mobile phones. ...Only superior logistics and management, hard work and dedication. The genius of it all.

[@Robofish12]

The narrator is literally the most British guy I have ever heard and I absolutely love it.

[@Irisphotojournal]

I served as an apprentice with the likes of these engineers and have always considered myself lucky to have learned from them. most of them in their late fifties and early sixties when I was just 16. The RR Merlin truly is a masterpiece, and let's not forget the mighty Gardner diesel engine company, also great engines of the time. I'm retired now and most of the engineering factories are either housing estates or shopping centers, quite sad really.

[@chrismerkel9604]

The Rolls-Royce Merlin engines were a engineering marvel of its day. This video shows as a society we can produce perfection. I loved the part about the for sight of the company to have a shop that repaired damaged engines so they could be brought back into service quickly. 3 Cheers Great Britain!

[@freakboynv2000]

Thank you Great Britain for your generous allowance of the use of the Merlin engine in US aircraft. I salute all of you living and dead.

[@josephastier7421]

3:53

[@tonygriffiths2485]

I served for three years on the Centurion, before the Chiftain. Never encountered anyone who didn't like the Meteor engine. It was fantastic. Lovely to hear and the bottom end was so strong, the torque was immense. It was an honour and privilege to have served with such a wonderful engine, and I was only the gunner :)

[@tomthompson7400]

the 225 dislikes were all by former Luftwaffe pilots.

[@joebond5012]

Just watched this video while in lockdown and appreciated the diversion from the current world tragedies. How amazing were the people who designed and built the Merlin engine. It was a supreme effort by all those involved in the whole process.

[@njm3211]

Hats off to the Brits. Engineers second to none.

[@Jimbo-in-Thailand]

Amazing documentary... a marvel of engineering, logistics, and truly dedicated average folks, both men and women, toiling away in the factories around the clock producing vast quantities of high precision extremely high quality engines to supply the war effort. It's even more amazing considering that each Merlin had a whopping 11,000 parts! What a testament to the design and durability that many 70+ year old RR Merlins are still flying today!

[@CFITOMAHAWK2]

British Brilliance. Respect from USA.. Glad you have been on our side last century.

[@tomjoseph1444]

Rolls Royce made a great engine. What is not said is how Packard greatly improved the design and manufacturing method, all of which RR adopted.

[@jacksprat9344]

Have you ever been in close proximity of one of those engines when it is running? You don't hear it, you FEEL it. It takes you over in a most incredibly empowering way. You sense it is inside you, imparting its strength to you. One of the most fantastic experiences of my life.

[@nickdanger3802]

"The initial Packard modifications were done on this engine by changing the main bearings from a copper lead alloy to a silver lead combination and featured indium plating. This had been developed by General Motors' Pontiac Division to prevent corrosion which was possible with lubricating oils that were used at that time. The bearing coating also improved break-in and load carrying ability of the surface. British engineering staff assigned to Packard were astonished at the suggestion but after tear down inspections on rigidly tested engines were convinced the new design offered a decided improvement."

[@marstondavis]

Most of the people that built these fine engines are gone now. They had a hand in defeating evil and they should be recognized for that. A very nice video, indeed.