Re: The Engine that Won the War

Posted by JWL On 2012/4/9 13:38:29

Stephen,

According to the SAE International's "Allied Aircraft Piston Engines of World War II" by Graham White:

"Continental Motors built a new manufacturing facility in Muskegon, Michigan, in 1942 initially to build Prat & Whitney R-1340s for North American T-6 advanced trainers. When this contract was complete, Continental tooled up for Merlin production using some of Packard's subcontractor's for major castings... One of the suppliers was Maytag Washing Machine Company... Maytag qualified for this work because of their broad experience with large intricate aluminum castings... This explains the nickname the P-51 received during World War II of "Maytag Messerschmitt"... Continental's production amounted to 897 engines..."

Also, Ford of France was to make Merlins, but that plan was overcome by events.

The story about Henry Ford and Ford production of Merlins in the U.S. is an interesting, but another story.

(o[]o)