Radial Engines on the Unlimiteds, differences?

[ChrisMX105]

Re: Radial Engines on the Unlimiteds, differences?

http://www.enginehistory.org/

One of the coolest websites ever...........

[Bob]

Re: Radial Engines on the Unlimiteds, differences?

Bill, you rock man. You never cease to amaze me with your knowlege. Kudos mate.

[T. Adams]

Re: Radial Engines on the Unlimiteds, differences?

Phed, if he used google then I would actually have to do real work instead of answering questions at one of my favorite distractions, AAFO.

I might butcher this but.....

The engine that was in the S6 (A), and S6B was simply the Rolls Royce "R". It was the same displacement as the Griffon (same bore and stroke), but had nothing else in common. The R was first run in 1929 and the 1931 Schneider version of the engine produced 2350 hp. In testing a "sprint" version, they got the engine to produce 2800 hp but it began to rip itself apart. They derated it to 2550 hp or so and set the world speed record at 407 mph in 1931.

The Griffon really had no direct ancestry to the R other than the knowledge gained. In other words the Griffon was not a further development of the R. Experience from the S6 series and R was directly applied to the Spitfire and the Merlin. But neither are further developments of the former.

I think it went something like this: The Curtiss D-12 power racers so surprised the British in 1923 Schneider race that Rolls-Royce was thought to be behind the times. As a response, they developed the Kestrel. The Kestrel was enlarged to make the Buzzard. The R was built off the Buzzard as strictly a racing engine. The Griffon I then evolved from the Buzzard / R but was a test engine only. What went into production was a Griffon II which had little in common with the previous engines.

Back to the Kestrel, from it was developed the Peregrine and the PV-12. The Peregrine was basically dropped after a small run and more effort was put behind the PV-12 (Private Venture 12 cylinder), which was a RR funded project with no official support. The PV-12 was showing signs that it was the real deal and it was given official support, becoming the Merlin.

All of that without a single cocktail either!!

[W J Pearce]

Re: Radial Engines on the Unlimiteds, differences?

Thanks Bob. I only remember enough to know where to look to fill in the blanks.

All of that without a single cocktail either!!

I have been told that the Maker's Mark and ice cream are awaiting my arrival at Reno. Also, some "Dirty Passes" have been requested.