Packard Aircraft Engine

While attending the Eastern Divisional Tour in Birmingham, Alabama, we visited the Southern Museum of Flight. I figured you fellows would like to see a few pictures.

Right good sized blower there guys!

I have a few more aircraft pictures to put up in the gallery.

Wayne

Surplus Packard marine engines were still being used in pulling tractors at least until late '70's early '80's.

The Airport museum in Toronto Canada is restoring a Lancaster and has several engines in various conditions.

- Mark

The big Packard Merlin or the Alison was also frequently used in the hydroplane boats. The last piston powered unlimited hydroplane that I remember competing on the Detroit River was about four years ago.

Very few Avro Lancasters are left. There is a great Air museum in Ottawa that I visited a years ago. They have an Avro Lancaster and a Mustang. I was also privileged to see an Avro Lancaster fly a couple of years ago at an air show in Ypsilanti.

It really is great that so many people are working to preserve these important pieces of history.

I note that the caption reads "Its glory was realized, however, in the legendary P-51 Mustang.." My view of history is that the Merlin engine realized its "glory" during the Battle of Britain during the summer of 1940 in the magnificent Spitfire and Hurricane fighters flown by the heroic airmen of the RAF.

Dave, you are correct about the Merlin powered Spitfires and Hurricane fighters and the job they did in the Battle of Brittan. And, let's forget the role the Merlin-powered Lancasters played in the Bomber War. However, it was the installation of the Merlin engines in the Mustangs that allowed them to escort and protect the B-24s and B-17s all the way to Germany and back thus helping to break the back of the German war industry. The Merlin engines were great powerplants and deserve credit in their wide application to many types of allied aircraft. I believe their glory is best remembered in powering the P-51 Mustangs. I wrote an article about this which is posted on the packardinfo.com site. Take care, John

John, While I disagree with you I think we can both agree that the Merlin was a marvelous aircraft engine regardless of where we wish to assign "glory". Take care, Dave

Dave, maybe the use of "glory" was a bit too much. I was just trying to say that they are probably best remembered for the Mustang. I am starting a collection of airplane models representing the different types that were powered by the Merlin. So far I have a Mustang and a Spitfire (my favorite WW-II fighter). Aiken's Airplanes is offering a 144th scale model of an Avro Lancaster Mk. III. It is diecast and the price is $26.95. I think this will be my next model. The radiator is still in the Clipper. Take care ...

I think "glory" may be appropriate considering how much this engine contributed to defeating Hitler. Had England been defeated in the Battle of Britain and then occupied by Germans in 1940 the outcome of the war might well have been very different. In Canada the Merlin engine is most likely best remembered for its use in the Hurricane fighter (many of which were built not much more than a mile from my home) and in the heavy Halifax and Lancaster bombers as well as the versatile and very fast de Havilland Mosquito (many built in Toronto). All were aircaft flown by members of the RCAF. Have you found a model of the much maligned Fairey Battle?

Dave,

I do not know about the Fairey Battle, please fill me in.

I have contacted Aikens about pre-ordering the Lancaster model, but have not heard back from them.

From the book "Allied Aircraft Piston Engines of World War II" by Graham White I believe Packard-built Merlins powered the Lancaster I/III, Kittyhawk II, P-40F, Canadian Hurricane, Mustang III, P-51B/C/D/F/K, Canadian Mosquito, and Spitfire L.F. XVI. The list may be longer; however, I am only discussing the Packard-build Merlins.

Take care ...

The Fairey Battle didn't spend much time in front line service.

The Fairey Battle was used in combat very early on in the war particularly in the battle for France in early 1940 when many brave airmen of the RAF attempted to hold back the Luftwaffe. Being a one engined bomber they were a rather slow and ponderous and outclassed by the ME109 when used as a fighter and were not used much after 1940 as you mentioned. I don't think any were powered with Packard built Merlins so early in the war.