The Merlin: The Engine That Won the Second World War

by Gordon A. A. Wilson, Steve Hinton JR (Foreword by)

Overview

The Rolls-Royce Merlin powered the Battle of Britain aircraft, the Spitfire and Hurricane, as they defended the shores of Britain against the Luftwaffe in summer 1940. It also powered the Lancasters and Halifaxes of Bomber Command as they went on their missions of destruction to the German heartland. For Americans, the Merlin was the power plant of the Mustang escort fighter that protected the US Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress and B-29 Super Fortress bombers on their daylight raids to the enemy. This book tells the human story of the development of the engine and its operational use during the war, featuring the voices of air crew who relied on this technological tour de force.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781398103252
Publisher:	Amberley Publishing
Publication date:	09/01/2020
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.75(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Gordon A. A. Wilson flew with the Canadian air forces 414 Electronic Warfare Squadron, and subsequently flew for 30 years for a major airline. Since retiring has worked as an instructor for Air Canada and as an aviation consultant writing manuals. His other books include NORAD and the Soviet Nuclear Threat. He lives in British Columbia.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 7

Foreword Steve Hinton Jr 9

Introduction 12

Part 1 The Merlin: Birth of a Legend, 1904-34

Genesis 17

1 The Rolls-Royce Company, 1904 18

2 The Merlin Pedigree, 1904-33 50

3 The Merlin, 1933-34 64

Part 2 The Merlin's Finest Hour, 1935-1940

The Fighter Defence of Britain 87

4 The Hawker Hurricane & Supermarine Spitfire, 1935-39 88

5 The Battle of France & The Battle of Britain, 1939-40 113

Part 3 The Merlin Takes The War to the Enemy, 1940-45

The Bomber Offensive from Britain 127

6 Fighter-Bomber: De Havilland Mosquito, 1940 128

7 Bombers: Avro Lancaster & Others, 1941 138

8 Fighter Escort: North American Mustang, 1942 153

Part 4 The Merlin Develops, 1933-45

The Fame Grows 171

9 Variants, Shadow Factories, Packard 172

Part 5 The Merlin Lives on 2018

Eighty-Five Years Young 199

10 Preserved and Restored 200

Conclusion 224

Appendix: Rolls-Royce Post-Merlin to Trent 228

Bibliography 247

Index 251