The Merlin (Paperback)

Gordon A.A. Wilson

ISBN 10: 139810325X / ISBN 13: 9781398103252

Published by Amberley Publishing, Chalford, 2020

About this Item

Paperback. The Rolls-Royce Merlin is the most recognisable aero engine in the world. It powered the Battle of Britain aircraft, the Spitfire and Hurricane, as they defended the shores of Britain against the Luftwaffe, foiling Hitler's plans to invade in summer 1940. It also powered the Lancasters and Halifaxes of Bomber Command as they went on their missions of destruction to the German heartland. And the 'wooden wonder', the Mosquito, was powered by the Merlin, its pinpoint bombing accuracy and reconnaissance work proving vital to the war effort. For the Americans, the Merlin was the power plant of the Mustang escort fighter that protected the US Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress and B-29 Super Fortress bombers on their daylight raids to the enemy. The P-51 was also used in the North African, Mediterranean and Pacific theatres. So the Merlin worked day and night to secure the eventual Allied victory. It has rightfully been described as the most significant aircraft piston engine in history and in the twenty-first century its distinctive 'drone' can still be heard over England as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight take to the air on special occasions most recently on the centenary of the RAF with its Lancaster leading the Merlin-powered Spitfires and Hurricanes in formation. Retired military and commercial pilot Gordon Wilson tells the human story of the development of the engine and its operational use during the war, featuring the voices of air crew who relied on this technological tour de force. New B-format paperback - First ever narrative history of the famous aero engine that powered the Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster, Mosquito and Mustang, the aircraft that made the difference between victory and defeat at critical moments in the Second World War - the Battle of Britain and the allied aerial offensive against Germany. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781398103252

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Merlin (Paperback)
• Publisher: Amberley Publishing, Chalford
• Publication Date: 2020
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 139810325X
• ISBN 13: 9781398103252
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

The Rolls-Royce Merlin powered the Battle of Britain aircraft, the Spitfire and Hurricane, as they defended the shores of Britain against the Luftwaffe in summer 1940. It also powered the Lancasters and Halifaxes of Bomber Command as they went on their missions of destruction to the German heartland. For Americans, the Merlin was the power plant of the Mustang escort fighter that protected the US Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress and B-29 Super Fortress bombers on their daylight raids to the enemy. This book tells the human story of the development of the engine and its operational use during the war, featuring the voices of air crew who relied on this technological tour de force.

About the Author

Gordon A. A. Wilson is a retired military and commercial pilot. He flew with the Canadian Air Force 414 Electronic Warfare Squadron, flying target aircraft on secret missions to test the defences of North America and as a squadron maintenance test pilot. He subsequently flew for thirty years for a major airline and since retiring has worked as a ground school instructor for Air Canada and as an aviation consultant writing standard operating procedures manuals. His other books for Amberley include 'NORAD and the Soviet Nuclear Threat', 'Lancaster Manual 1943' (Editor), 'The Lancaster' 'The Merlin', and 'The Hercules'. He lives in British Columbia, Canada.