Merlins over Everest

A Supermarine Spitfire flew over Mount Everest on 26 May, 1945. A Supermarine Spitfire at high altitude Then on 16 June another Merlin-powered aircraft, a de Havilland Mosquito belonging to RAF 684 Squadron, based at Alipore airfield, Calcutta, made an “accidental”...

Cost of the Merlin engine

A sectioned Rolls-Royce Merlin engine When I was writing my book about the Rolls-Royce Merlin I discovered some amazing facts. There has never been another engine more thoroughly, continuously, aggressively and successfully developed than the Merlin. How much does a...
Which planes used the Merlin engine?

Which planes used the Merlin engine?

The Merlin engine was used in over forty aircraft during World War Two but it is mostly associated with the Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane, Avro Lancaster bomber and the de Havilland Mosquito. Then there were the Mustang, Battle, Halifax, Wellington, Lincoln,...
How many cylinders were in a Merlin?

How many cylinders were in a Merlin?

The Merlin was a petrol engine, which in a car or an aeroplane has to have many cylinders to make it run smoothly and powerfully. A single cylinder is OK for a small bike, and you can hear how rough and vibratory they are! In my book I take you through the whole...
11 Fascinating Lancaster Bomber Facts

11 Fascinating Lancaster Bomber Facts

1. The Second World War was the first war won in the air, and the Avro Lancaster was Britain’s premier bomber.  Avro developed the Lancaster to meet the UK’s wartime need for a larger bomber that could go further and carry a larger payload. It was a reply to the...