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. Design of the Merlin began in 1933 following the similar Kestrel design, and helped pioneer high-output, liquid-cooled engines. Early Rolls-Royce Merlin Mk II and Mk III engines, producing about 746 kW (1,000 horsepower), powered Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires in the Battle of Britain. Engine improvements and progress in supercharger performance increased the Merlin's rated power to over 1,715 kW (2,300 horsepower) by the end of the war.

Built at the Rolls-Royce Hillington factory in Glasgow, Scotland, and first tested in September 1944, this engine is a prototype in the Merlin 100 series. A new class of engine, built to meet higher performance standards for power and altitude, Merlin 100s powered the de Havilland Mosquito, Avro Tudor, and de Havilland Hornet and Sea Hornet.

 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 Circa World War II Country of Origin United Kingdom Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Manufacturer Rolls-Royce Ltd (Glasgow, Scotland)
 Physical Description Type: Reciprocating engine, 12 cylinders, V-type, pressure liquid cooled, supercharged Power rating: 1,227 kW (1,645 hp) at 3,000 rpm Displacement: 27 L (1,649 cu in.) Bore and Stroke: 137 mm (5.4 in.) x 152 mm (6 in.) Weight: 778 kg (1,715 lb) Dimensions Length 225 cm (88.7 in.), Width 78 cm (30.7 in.), Height 101 cm (39.9 in.)
 Materials Non-Magnetic White Metal
Ferrous Alloy
Copper Alloy
Paint
Unknown Coating
Glass
Plastic
 Inventory Number A19670069000 Credit Line Transferred from the U.S. Army Air Forces Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.