Dambuster Lancaster Engines

Hey Mossieramm. you may want to check out this months (novembers edition) of Flypast magazine, its got 24 pages of lancs in it including interior shots. unfortunatly it hasn't got much in the line of engine shots (only one pic) but those interior shots are a case of information overload . Greg

Hi Mossie
I worked on a Spitfire Mk IX for 22 years and it indeed uses the Whiworth threads. Now, I had always heard that the Packard Merlins used metric threads. This past Feb I was helping to get Mike Potter's Mk XVIe ready for repaint and was talking with the chief engineer on the a/c about the different threads etc. I was surprised to find that the Packard uses the same threads as the Rolls, Whitworth. Now when it comes to modelling, this information just does not apply but is interesting. BTW...the Packard 266 in SL721 is the same engine that she left the production line with in Aug. 1945, although someone has put put polished rocker covers on her from a Rolls so that it says "ROLLS-ROYCE" in red. She was just rebuilt and instead of black, they had her painted a dark grey to make it easier to see the oil leaks. Still much nicer than red or orange like the Yanks like with lots of chrome as if it were some kind of street rod. I have some nice photos of the engines in both Spitfires if you want to see them, e-mail me direct. I don't know how to post photos here or I would do so.
Cheers
Bob S.

My latest intel tells me that the Mk1s were fitted with RR Merlin 22s, and the Mk3s were fitted with Packard Merlin 228 engines which were based on the RR Merlin 22, but complying with American "standards and measures" (whatever that means, maybe AF instead of Whitworth nut and bolt threads) and with magneto and carburettor modifications, and a extensive toolkit. But how can you tell which is which. I always thought that one way to tell the diffenrence is to look at propeller. The propeller was different for the Mk1 and Mk3. The Mk3 having the paddle wheel props, and the Mk1 having (I forget the proper name) the pointy props.
I just found the serial numbers for the 19 lancasters, is it possible to find out which serial belonged to which Mk lanc.

Hi Mossieramm
The Rolls Royce Merlin and the Packard Merlin look almost exactly the same on the single stage Merlins used in the Lancaster. The only external difference that I know of is that the Packard rocker covers didn't have "ROLLS-ROYCE" cast into them. they are just plain. In fact I have one here at my house. The later Merlin 66 and Packard 266 were externally different in the way the intercooler was made.
Don't forget that wartime Merlins were black...no polished rocker covers or red Rolls Royce lettering....that is all postwar show crap.
Cheers
Bob S.

Checking my refs the Mk1s used Merlin XX while the Mk111used Packard Merlins. I Would think that the 617 lancasters would have used the Merlin XXs because, rightly or wrongly, the Rolls Royce engins were considered more reliable rhan the Packard built version.
Dai

theres a pic of a lanc with its engines bare on http://landiesandplanes.mysite.freeserve.com
they are (i think)packards. from the info that i have gathered all the Lancs involved in operation chastise whre the same mark but most say they where B1 specials but some say they are B111 specials. as far as books are concerned i find the classic aircraft series quite useful. (the lancaster book is no 6)

Although I haven't checked yet, I seem to recall that the engines difference between the Mk.I and Mk.III was that the Mk.I had Rolls-Royce built engines, while the Mk.III had Packard- built engines.