P-38s.
Air-show announcers should be seen and not heard. Or heard less often.
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Sunday, September 11, 2016
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I always thought the P38s were Merlin-powered, but didn't hear the Merlin howl as they flew over :-(
ReplyDeleteWas I wrong?
You might be. Wikipedia sez an Allison V-1710 12 cylinder, but I don't know if that is a variant of the Merlin.
ReplyDeleteThe Allison was intended from the first to power the Lightning. The engine lost power at altitude when used in the P-39 and P-40 because they were normally aspirated; the P-38 turbocharged the engine.
ReplyDeleteThe Merlin was supercharged; this is the biggest reason for different exhaust notes from each engine type.
Beautiful birds.
ReplyDeleteThe turbos on the P-38s gave a lot of trouble in cold air, and it turned out that the right way to go high in Europe was with an engine-driven supercharger (which the Allison had) plus an intercooler (which it didn't). Without the intercooler the supercharger couldn't really do its job...the Merlin had one and became the ideal European engine.
ReplyDeleteThe P-38, however, worked quite well in the warm Pacific environment.
The P-38 was also a great beer cooler in the Pacific. With no cockpit heat and a storage space big enough for several cases, the chosen pilot would fill up and fly up to a properly cold altitude, flying around until he felt cold. Then he would zoom back to land so everyone could enjoy a cold frosty one.
ReplyDeleteI loves me the Allison. It was the first production engine producing more than 1000 horsepower. Yes, before the Merlin and the DB601. Its connecting rods are the favored replacement in the Merlins racing today. (Fewer stress risers.)
ReplyDeleteThe P-38 did have an intercooler, but it OVERcooled the intake air, and that is why it performed better in warmer air.