Re: Packard Merlin Engine V-1560

Posted by Dave Kenney On 2007/10/14 19:55:04

Conn, One of the sweetest sounds to my ears is the roar of a Merlin engine be it a Rolls -Royce in a Supermarine Spitfire or a P-51. As a kid living along the Detroit River I also had the thrill of watching and hearing the big Merlin and Allison powered hydo plane boats vying for the Harmsworth Trophy etc.
My father was in the Canadian Navy during World War 11 and served in the English Channel on Motor Torpedo boats which were powered by 4 Packard marine V-12 engines. He always spoke very highly of the reliability and power that these engines provided. Packard contributed so much to the war effort it is a shame that it's contributions are not as well known as they ought to be.