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Packard (Rolls-Royce) Merlin V-1650-3 (V-1650-B5), V-12 Engine

Air and Space Museum

Object Details

Manufacturer

Packard Motor Car Company (Detroit, Michigan)

Physical Description

Type: Reciprocating, V-type, 12 cylinders, water-cooled, supercharger
Power rating: 1,029 kW (1,380 hp) at 3,000 rpm
Displacement: 27 L (1,649 cu in.)
Bore and Stroke: 137 mm (5.4 in.) x 152 mm (6 in.)
Weight: 766.6 kg (1,690 lb)

Summary

The Merlin, the design of which started in 1933, was a development based on the Rolls Royce history of high performance engines, such as the Kestrel, Buzzard, and R. Most famous for World War II use in Hawker Hurricanes, Supermarine Spitfires, and North American P-51s, the Merlin developed more horsepower for its displacement than any other engine in production during the war. By the end of the war, it was developing 1,641 kW (2,200 shp), up from its initial 768 kW (1,030 shp). Packard and Continental built over 58,000 of these engines in the U.S. under license. Many were shipped to England and others powered later versions of the Curtiss P-40 and most versions of the North American P-51.
This is a Packard-built, Rolls-Royce-designed Merlin engine. It powered the North American P-51B, C, D, and K models, and the armed tactical reconnaissance version known as the F-6B, C, D, and K.

Credit Line

Found in the collection

Date

Circa World War II

Inventory Number

A19660387000

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary

Materials

Non-Magnetic Metal
Copper Alloy
Ferrous Alloy
Unknown Coating
Paint
Plastic
Organic Fiber Fabric

Dimensions

Overall: 3 ft. 5 5/8 in. × 2 ft. 5 15/16 in. × 7 ft. 3 1/8 in., 1690lb. (105.7 × 76.1 × 221.3cm, 766.6kg)
Other: 3 ft. 5 5/8 in. × 2 ft. 5 15/16 in. × 4 ft. × 8 ft. × 3 ft. 4 in. (105.7 × 76.1 × 121.9 × 243.8 × 101.6cm)
Other: 3 ft. 5 5/8 in. (105.7cm)
3-D: 221.3 × 76 × 105.7cm (7 ft. 3 1/8 in. × 2 ft. 5 15/16 in. × 3 ft. 5 5/8 in.)

Country of Origin

United States of America

See more items in

National Air and Space Museum Collection

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Metadata Usage

Not determined

Link to Original Record

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv92d00b0d3-5cb8-40d0-bae2-27198d07e3b0

Record ID

nasm_A19660387000

Discover More

Image of Packard Merlin V-1650-7 engine

Propulsion

Image of Packard Merlin V-1650-7 engine

Propulsion

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