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From what I can remember my godfather telling me, the Merlin wasn't as great as people presume, it used to have problems with lack of oil flow as the oil lines were external of the engine. From 1941 the Griffon started to take over from the Merlin and from 1943 I think most aircraft that used the Merlin were powered by the Griffon.

Ahem.

Nigel Rose, Spitfire Pilot

"I flew Kestrels in Harts and Hinds early on and you really noticed the difference in power [when using the Merlin].

"And it was so dependable. I flew 900 hours in Spitfires during the war and never had any trouble at all.

"All through the war the German planes, the Messerschmitts and so on, and British planes were stepping up each other in performance, manoeuvrability and speed.

"The Merlin kept up, it was improved, it got more powerful."

He was there.

I dont claim to be well informed of the of what motor suceeded what but sound of the 'generic' Merlin motor stops people, of all ages, in thier tracks when they hear one purr or growl overhead.
When you consider the Supermarine Spitfire went from civvie record breaking flying boat to combat ready fighter in six weeks !

Ahhh.... No.

The SB6a (I think that's what it was called) flying boat used to set speed records was not really related to the Spitfire at all.

The original Spitfire prototype was a gull-winged thing with fixed undercarriage. It was found to be too slow in both speed and maneuverability.

Once the 'proper' designer got hold of it, he drew up what became the 'real' Spitfire.

(Now I'm dragging this all up from memories that are about 30 years old, so I might be a bit off. And no, I can't be arsed Googling it right now.)

Viking wrote:Ahhh.... No.

The SB6a (I think that's what it was called) flying boat used to set speed records was not really related to the Spitfire at all.

The original Spitfire prototype was a gull-winged thing with fixed undercarriage. It was found to be too slow in both speed and maneuverability.

Once the 'proper' designer got hold of it, he drew up what became the 'real' Spitfire.

(Now I'm dragging this all up from memories that are about 30 years old, so I might be a bit off. And no, I can't be arsed Googling it right now.)

Also from memory - connection between the seaplane & Spitfire was they were both built by Supermarine, & Mitchell had a hand in the design of the seaplane,as well as the Spitfire

Viking wrote: The original Spitfire prototype was a gull-winged thing with fixed undercarriage. It was found to be too slow in both speed and maneuverability.

I Googled. Supermarine Type 224. if anyone's interested.

Viking wrote:Ahhh.... No.

The SB6a (I think that's what it was called) flying boat used to set speed records was not really related to the Spitfire at all.

It was actually the S.6B ...... and it was a sea-plane not a flying-boat

(I was a complete plane-nut when I was younger - nothing I wanted more than to fly fast, manoeuvrable fighter aircraft .... though pacifist tendencies rendered that desire a little incompatible. Probably why I get my kicks from bikes TBH)

Thank you, one and all. I'm not totally senile just yet.

At secondary school our head of art was a Mitchell. Not sure, but I think he was a nephew. He used to paint a mean airplane.