Barry W Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 I saw this video on another forum and thought some folks may be interested in seeing it. It shows the RR factory where the Merlin engine s were made and a brief description of the manufacturing processes in the 1940s RR Engine I have tried the method to inset a link for the first time as recommended by Timbo so I hope it works Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 You just need the embed code (copy and paste) Barry then the little YouTube link box at the far end of the tools above, past the code in the yellow box and hit 'insert' - hey presto....... Edited By David Ashby - RCME Administrator on 21/12/2010 07:45:40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard V-D Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 It's all so labour intensive! Certainly is a work of art though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 I have been told that the Packard Merlin was actually better than the RR version! Stand back and fit ear defenders for the screams of fury! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Hafner Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 Came across this while doing researchfor my Mustang Now we all want these for our planes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Ireland Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 Posted by Peter Miller on 21/12/2010 08:58:46: I have been told that the Packard Merlin was actually better than the RR version! Stand back and fit ear defenders for the screams of fury! I'd heard that when Packard were approached by RR they were asked if they could produce the Merlin in the US. They (Packard) replied, "yes, but not at such loose tolerances" ...running for cover! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 I heard that the Packard Merlin was to closer tolerances as well. I couldn't remember when I was posting my first comment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 Smashing video Barry - great find. BEB PS Peter wash your mouth out with soap and water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Grigg Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 Very interesting video really enjoyed it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Fenton Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 Fab video Barry, really enjoyed that Cheers Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Grigg Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 It interesting how I ve gone from Barrys video and finished up on a report on The Beast with a merlin engine to Top Gear and a Cornishe.Its a bit like going through that wardrobe in Nardia to a new world,only just got back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 When i started work at Metro Vicks, it was commonly acknowledged that the "Ford" built Merlin engine was a better motor than the RR version. In that it was cheaper to make, and produced more power. Ford apparently re-engineered the engine, in essence productionizing and introducing interchangeability that was limited from RR products at the time, relying on hand fitting to achieve acceptable products. This factory was taken over my Massey Ferguson, making farming machinery. Now the "Trafford Centre" occupies part of the site. I was always troubled that MV had to sell (Ministry of Supply dictat) to Armstrong Whitworths. This was to leave the way clear for both RR and AW to dominate the jet industry. Our jets were more powerful, fuel efficient than the then current RR jets. So is politics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 BEB I refuse to wash my mouth out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Ireland Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 Notice he didn't tell me to wash my mouth out, thats 'cos I was hiding in Stephen's wardrobe and he couldn't see me! By the way Peter, did you notice the number of posts you've made? 2182, Marine distress frequency isn't it?Edited By Doug Ireland on 21/12/2010 18:26:37 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josip Vrandecic -Mes Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 This is the first time that I see my youthful love how it builds.Thanks Barry W. p.s. Mr.Miller ....ok...forget . (lol) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 Hi Doug. Sounds appropriate, I am usually in distress for one reason or another Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Claridge Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 anyone seen the gorgeous griffon engine fitted to a TRACTOR for the pulling contests, i saw it some years ago at siverstone at the truck grand prix. there was another one fitted with an 18 cylinder aero engine, the sound of the griffon at full chat was something else Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Grigg Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 you use to be able to watch that on Eurosport,use to have all sorts of aero engines and multiple V8s was fascinating just to see and hear the engines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I have found this reference to Ford Merlins, not much considering the major contribution made. Link There is also mention of the contribution by the Metro Vick company. Yet it does not surprise me in some respects that popular fact, always seems to have some spin, the unglamourous are pushed to one side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broken Prop Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 My old Dad worked at Napiers during the war, making the Sabre engine for the Typhoon. He said that when the shadow factory was set up, they had to wait 9 months for the machines to shipped over from the USA. What with Adolph regularly sending consignments to Davy Jones, it was a long time before they could get started. When they did, they had a lot of trouble maintaining tolerances because the machines were all old and worn out. It seems that the Americans shipped all their scrapped tooling over here under the Lend Lease arrangements. My Dad said that some of the milling machines were over 20 years old and they were supposed to be producing an engine that used no gaskets in its construction. He used to set his machine up, mill the engine block and if he needed to take off another 1or 2 thou, he hit the setting lever (which was locked up) with a hammer! Perhaps some of those machines ended up at Rolls Royce, hence problems with tolerances......... Edited By Mark Web Tech on 04/01/2011 10:13:01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Chaddock Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 It was generally accepted that the Parkard Merlins were substantially more oil tight then the RR versions. Messy rather than a problem as the Merlin oil consumption was measured in gallons per hour anyway. It was the way RR made their engine that was different to Packard. As the video shows lots of hand finishing and fitting. The end result was just as good but not necessarily as fully interchangeable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Ireland Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 Is it just me or has page one of this thread gone all wonky? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 Yes, the post by Peter Ward pasted in some troublesome html. I'll get on to that. Peter - just write in the text box please next time, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 Simon It was apparently the same with Ford as Packard. Ford re-engineered fastening numbers to an optimal level with respect functionality and production issues. Probably much more important, was that of manufacturing limits and fits. The Ford unit, was manufactured to achieve total interchangeability of all components without recourse to "fitting". All of this resulted in a much more consistent engine performance. What is so very surprising is how Fords major contribution to Merlin production, appears, to be all but forgotten. Not even reaching a foot note in history status. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broken Prop Posted December 26, 2010 Share Posted December 26, 2010 Sorry Guys for causing problems with the thread. I cut and pasted my text from another document instead of typing it out..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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