Coolest 'planes

[xs 400]

Originally Posted by mister p

They were injected weren't they. Arguably a better machine than the Spit.......

certainly more advanced "While the conventional mechanical superchargers consisted of one or two compressors driven via a two-speed gear, Daimler-Benz utilised an ingenious barometrically controlled hydraulic clutch which adjusted the compressor speed and thus the charging of the engine according to the needs at a given altitude."

and

Taking into account the age of the Merlin design and its relative small displacement this two-stage inter- and after-cooled engine was a superb machine. In comparison with the German engines the Merlin was lighter due to the relative abundance of metals for making light alloys. When comparing outputs one should also bear in mind that the allies were well supplied with high grade fuels (100/130/150 octane). The Germans had to make do with 87, 92 or 96 octane, the higher grade fuels being especially scarce. ADI was used by both sides in the later stages of the war.
The Merlin 60 series were put into service in the late summer of 1942, around the same time that the DB 605A-1 went into service. The high altitude performance the Merlin 60 series was superior to the DB 605A-1. This superiority lasted into 1944 when the new AS and D sub-types went into service. These late sub-types equalled or bested the high altitude performance of the Merlins (Rolls-Royce and Packard) perhaps with the exception of the Mark 70. When GM-1 was used the picture changed thoroughly in favour of the DB 605.
The DB 605 basicallly gave good low altitude performance, especially at sea level (read the discussion of the supercharging systems). In this regard the DB 605A-1 was superior to the Mark 61, 63, 66 and 68 Merlins. The superiority of the late mark DB 605's at low and medium altitude was very pronounced when using MW-50 (AM, ASM), high octane and high boost (DB, ASB), high octane high boost

[mister p]

Now that deserves a beer!!!!!!!!! Only if it was from memory though.
Promise?

[xs 400]

Originally Posted by mister p

Now that deserves a beer!!!!!!!!! Only if it was from memory though.
Promise?

pinkey promise.......................................not!

i'm having a beer any way! cheers

[mister p]

There's a classic working warbird museum in west Cornwall I've heard. Must go. Can't remember where it is though.

[mister p]

Originally Posted by IanH

Fantastic news that a mosquito is back in the sky. IMHO, one of the most beautifully proportioned planes ever designed.

Absolutely correct........they are simply stunning and as you say, as far as proportions go, can't fault it.

[xs 400]

Originally Posted by mister p

There's a classic working warbird museum in west Cornwall I've heard. Must go. Can't remember where it is though.

The Classic Airforce Collection this one?

[mister p]

Yes, not far from our Fowey base......just never have followed it up. Once we get to Fowey, the driving's over usually. Will have to go those few extra miles this weekend.
And re proportions..........the Mosquito has a lot of competition.

[Boatnomad]

Greatest plane there ever was, SR 71-Blackbird

[mister p]

Don't think anybody has ever seen one flying.

[mister p]

Has anybody touched a nuclear sub?

[HughN]

When I was at university we had a guest lecturer who was quite elderly and had seen life at Rolls Royce from Merlins to the RB211 and beyond. A 'proper' engineer with a cardigan, a pipe and glasses with thick black frames, on more than one occasion He said that that when they were sent the drawings for the Merlin, Packard replied that that they couldn't make an engine like that. Puffed up at their superior engineering, RR asked why not. The reply from Packard was that the tolerances were far too large and they would have to re-tool!

In 1990 I was privileged to be given a tour of this beast. 'Cool' but somewhat agricultural, I remember it most for the milk-bottle crates full of Vodka bottles to see the crew through a week in Farnborough!

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by mister p

Don't think anybody has ever seen one flying.

SR-71? Saw one do a flyby at the Beale AFB airshow about 20 years ago.

jky

[mister p]

Week? You mean morning.
Cool plane though, anything that does what it does is fantastic..........bring on the Hercules. Still buzzing Swindon with little "ants with mushrooms" falling out.......leaving a plume of exhaust only a vulcan could better.

[mister p]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

SR-71? Saw one do a flyby at the Beale AFB airshow about 20 years ago.

jky

Couldn't have.

[HughN]

Originally Posted by mister p

Couldn't have.

Better than the B-2 'Spirit' that flew all the way across the Atlantic and back for a display at Farnborough airshow - except they performed the display over Blackbushe Aerodrome a few miles away, to the bemusement of several thousand spectators at Farnborough....

All they had to do was follow the M3!

[mister p]

Or maybe they did but were "cloaked"?

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by mister p

Couldn't have.

Why is that, mister_p?

I certainly remember sitting in the hundred degree heat waiting for it to go by.

jky

[mister p]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Why is that, mister_p?

I certainly remember sitting in the hundred degree heat waiting for it to go by.

jky

Are you sure it was "it"?

There's a lot that goes on with this stealth business..........a hologram maybe.

But now that you mention the 100 degree heat.............

[JamesF]

Stealth features on an SR-71?

[mister p]

Black paint.......can't see anything that's painted black. Right?