Live And Learn. (Meteor Engine)

Discussion in 'Weapons, Technology & Equipment' started by David Layne, Oct 5, 2007.

  1. David Layne

    David Layne Well-Known Member

    I didn't realise until reading about the Cromwell tank that Merlin aircraft engines were also fitted in tanks.
     
  2. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Without the blower though.

    YouTube - V12 Engine

    Have a look at this link (don't set the sound to high).:)
     
  3. kfz

    kfz Very Senior Member

    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
     
  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  5. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    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. o_O)
     
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    (And here's one fitted in what looks like an old Rover. o_O)

    See my post above at 09.43 AM.
    Beat yer to it. Haha!
     
  7. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    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.
     
  8. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    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.



     

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