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Formed in 1906 to first produce automobiles, Rolls-Royce was asked to begin designing and building aircraft engines at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. Using experience from the high-output, liquid-cooled engines of the 1920s and '30s, which the organization helped pioneer, Rolls-Royce began design of the famous Merlin in 1933. Following its similar Kestrel design, the Merlin powered many significant aircraft of World War II, including the Hawker Hurricane, Supermarine Spitfire, and North American P-51.

The most powerful versions of the Merlin developed more horsepower for their displacement than any other World War II production engines. The Packard Motor Car Company and Continental Aircraft built over 58,000 Merlins in the United States under license. Many were shipped to England, and others used in versions of the American Curtiss P-40 and most versions of the P 51. This example of the Packard-built Merlin powered various models of the North American F-6 and P-51 Mustang.

Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.

Object Details

Date

1945

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary

Manufacturer

Packard Motor Car Company (Detroit, Michigan)

Designer

Rolls-Royce Ltd. (Derby, U.K.)

Physical Description

Type: Reciprocating, 12 cylinders, V-type, liquid cooled
Power rating: 1,111 kW (1,490 hp) at 3,000 rpm
Displacement: 27 L (1,650 cu in)
Bore and Stroke: 137 mm (5.4 in.) x 152 mm (6 in.)
Weight: 744 kg (1,640 lb)

Dimensions

Overall (weight note): 3 ft. 5 5/8 in. × 2 ft. 5 15/16 in. × 7 ft. 3 1/8 in. (105.7 × 76.1 × 221.3cm)
3-D (on steel stand): 274.3 × 111.8 × 147.3cm, 1165.7kg (9 ft. × 3 ft. 8 in. × 4 ft. 10 in., 2570lb.)
3-D (on wood stand): 266.7 × 101.6 × 132.1cm (8 ft. 9 in. × 3 ft. 4 in. × 4 ft. 4 in.)

Materials

Steel

Inventory Number

A19520106000

Credit Line

Transferred from the Department of the Navy, Bureau of Aeronautics

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

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