If you like history, specifically history related to one of the greatest engines ever designed and built, the Rolls Royce Merlin this 20-minute film is not to be missed. While the boys at Rolls Royce over in England designed this engine that powered everything from PT boats to P-51 Mustangs, it was the manufacturing might of Packard that built them in the volume needed to help the war effort. The fact was that England was in a precarious situation with attacks happening at a rapid rate and when they weren’t being attacked, the threat was always present. The USA, in comparison was a safe haven and had incredible industrial prowess. Rolls provided the blueprints and Packard provided the finished product…and they did one hell of a job.
The story of how Packard expanded, built 78 dyno cells, and started producing these engines in an amazingly short period of time seems almost impossible today. Along with the story of how the Merlins came to be built by Packard, the video also goes through a fair amount of big piston engine history and talked about the Liberty V12 and other designs that led up to the Merlin.
Everything about this video rules. From the footage of machinists actually making parts to the graphics showing how Packard expanded by hundreds of thousands of square feet to built these mills. All the engines would be run for six hours at full throttle, then torn down, completely rebuilt, and shipped to the front. It gives us chills. This is the best 20 minutes you’ll spend today.
PRESS PLAY BELOW TO WATCH: MEN BET THEIR LIVES ON IT – PACKARD MERLIN ENGINES
Look at the big pretty machines that the Americans used to make.(sigh)
magnificent beasts , incredible tech for the time in the museum of flight they have a display engine and its the one i spend most time examining, incredible sound as well, engine woody!
Where’s the video ? I’ve tried three times and all I get is a blank space underneath the text today Monday 4/15 12:19 pm MST ….
Oh no …. don’t tell me the IRS repossessed it
and remember designed with a pencil,tee square and scale.
No CAD in site.