When Rolls Royce first ran its PV-12 aero engine in 1933, few could have predicted that it would become the legendary Merlin, renowned worldwide. From 1936 to 1956, over 160,000 Merlins were produced in 50 variants, with more than 50,000 built in the USA under the Packard name. Early versions generated around 1000 horsepower, while later models reached up to 2000hp, powering iconic aircraft like the Hawker Hurricane, North American P-51 Mustang, Avro Lancaster, and de Havilland Mosquito. This handbook reveals the inside story of the celebrated engine and aircraft combinations. Utilizing original RAF 'Pilot's Notes' from the Crecy Publishing archive, it reproduces the unabridged content, typography, and illustrations of these historic documents. The focus is on the Mk1, Mk9, and Mk16 Spitfires, showcasing the evolution of the aircraft from its pre-war Merlin II engine to the ultimate 1943 Spitfire 16 with the Packard Merlin 266. Readers are immersed in the cockpit experience of these legendary planes, gaining insight into the very documents that guided Spitfire pilots as they flew and fought in one of history's most famous fighter aircraft, highlighting the remarkable power and capability of this extraordinary engine/aircraft pairing.
