I didn't realise until reading about the Cromwell tank that Merlin aircraft engines were also fitted in tanks.
Without the blower though. YouTube - V12 Engine Have a look at this link (don't set the sound to high).
I didn't realise until reading about the Cromwell tank that Merlin aircraft engines were also fitted in tanks. yep, quite a common occurance. I was thinking about this not long ago, this stems from the US and UK not really knowing what tanks where for. Not realising untill too late that its not accepatable to get 3 bus engines and bung em in a tank and hope. Completly left them without suitable engines for later designs. Just see them going cap in hand to Rolls Royce, standing in the queue behind Bomber Harris saying we want several thousand Merlins please. Errr, i dont think so, how does 1948 sound? From an engineering point of view, im surprisedi t worked so well (probably a testament to the strenght of the Merlin), aero and AFV engine design is quite different requirements. Kev
I know I keep going on about the IWM photo archive. But, search for "A MERLIN IS MADE". Thereare 19 superb photos of the Rolls Royce factory. IWM Collections Online: Search Photographs Archive Listen to this Comet. Sounds as good as any Spitfire. YouTube - Comet tank 1 Another edit.Some nut put one in a car. Pics of 27 litre Rolls Royce Meteor engine installation. YouTube - Meteor engine SD1=
Beaverbrook's telegram to Robotham & Hives at Rolls-Royce after Vauxhall somewhat inexplicably said they'd lost interest in the Meteor project: OHMS MINISTRY OF SUPPLY TO W. HIVES ROLLS ROYCE NIGHTINGALE ROAD DERBY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN YOU AN OPEN CREDIT OF ONE MILLION POUNDS STOP THIS IS A A CERTIFICATE OF CHARACTER AND REPUTATION WITHOUT PRECEDENT OR EQUAL STOP ** BEAVERBROOK ** Shortly afterwards, Rolls-Royce accepted their first contract for 1000 Meteor engines. (Universal Tank - Fletcher) Praise indeed and an indication of true awareness of how important an advance the Meteor was. Mk.III Merlin, Unsupercharged, Dry Sump, dual carbs and a fan drive = Meteor (basically). 600hp. First test ran fitted in a Tank (Crusader) on 6th April '41. Performance beyond all expectation. So unexpectedly fast that the timekeepers forgot to take readings at each checkpoint, driver crashed into a wood after missing the final turn. Speed had to be estimated due to shocked timekeepers - c.50MPH. Ran up a 1:2.43 hill With complete lack of trouble, leaving 3 liberty engined vehicles unable to crest. More compact, so more space in Hull for Ammo/stowage/gun/men (though that last factor always seemed to be a final consideration...). Etc. Etc. Meteor = Not half bad. Cheers, Adam. (And here's one fitted in what looks like an old Rover. )
(And here's one fitted in what looks like an old Rover. ) See my post above at 09.43 AM. Beat yer to it. Haha!
Apologies. I must have been deafened and confused by the bloke that periodically turns up at shows with a running Meteor mounted on a trailer. Which he basically just thrashes for 10 minutes at a time... Shocking.
A couple of Aussies grasp their way through a Meteor teardown. Not military historians, but plainly know what they're about as mechanics/engineers, with a quite interesting methodical approach.