Steve got bored last weekend

Just beautiful, Steve. There is something so elegant about the mechanics of an airplane, and I am so fond of NAA products.
Thanks for posting the photos, RD!

 

LOL!

 

That's exactly how I feel about them too, Russ. Having worked so long in the industry has instilled an unbrakeable drive to paint stuff a bit too tight and precise in my art. You have a PM, Russ.
Bob

 

Think it was the postman. The NAA guys produced some really attractive machines. 51,25,t-6 my favorites. Even considering the complexity of the Merlin the 51 is a straingt forward easy to maintain machine. This engine has been up front for 14 years and over 300 hrs and hasnt missed a beat. Have decided to ship it out to the momo guy and have it topped as we are only 50 hours to go before that time. A little premature but might as well get er done at todays prices. Will post a few shots when I get back to K Falls next week.

 

Steve, I have some channel locks, needle noses, and a sledge hammer so can I help? Man it would be fun to share in your fun working on the P-51. Oh, I forgot about the tool I have for rounding off hex heads, I think they call 'em vise grips.
Bob

 

Boy Bob how did you know about our secret valve setting tool? Love the extra large model of the Vise Grip. Actually need the Superdooper Vise Grip to use to close the Extra Large Vise Grip on the petite rocker arm adjusting screw thing. You old av engineers sure know the ropes.

 

I really would like to work on that beautiful airplane and engine. It's amazing that it was designed in 1940-41. Incredible but it is an example of several weapons that were inspired bursts of genius. The Spitfire, the B-17, P-51, the B-52 and a few others will always be outstanding examples. Going back a ways the Fokker D-7 and the SE5 and the Bristol Fighter should be added too.
getting back to working tools, I could bring my thread stripper, reverse easy-in bolt impacter, lockwire stretcher, and special torture bar twister( I think that's the word).
Bob

 

A bunch more pix of removing Merlin from the 51.
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mo
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and
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fin
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Hey I resemble that remark !!!

I think all the Mustangs had AMERICAN built Merlins(Packard), I would love to be corrected.
Great Pictures by the way. Thanks

 

What is that blue tank on the front of the engine?

Gas tank?

I had the pleasure of seeing two P51's flying at an airshow. One had the Allison and the other had the Rolls...BIG difference in sound. Honda 90 scooter engine versus Harley with strait pipes.

 

Expansion tank and air/coolant seperator for the cooling system. Dr Death is correct...all P-51,s from the B model forward had Packard Merlins. However thay had were exact copies of the Brit machine with all its strange widget and wadjet things. A models had Allisons made by GM.

 

Just wanted to say you have a beautiful machine,the engine detail looks fantastic.I love these old birds.I have a poster hanging in my office of my boss Jack Roush and his 'Old Crow'.Thanks for sharing your work.
CH

 

One thing I've wondered about the Packard Merlins - did they use standard American nuts/bolts/fasteners or this they have some of the pre-metric unique English things that I hear so much about that require slightly different tools?
Another technical question, and if it is 'out of school' or 'no comment' please correct me, but on the Merlin racers, are factory boost limits exceeded as a matter of race proceedure? Are there any reliability race tweaks that are common you can speak of? I am familiar with some simple T-6 engine and airframe racing proceedures and tweaks, but was curious if a much more complex plane as a Mustang was similarly 'tuned'.
Beautiful workmanship on the installation!

 

My grampa used to work on these old planes....his job was to prop start them by hand...dangerous at times but he mitigated that with two squirts of starter fluid into the manifold prior to jumping on the prop and letting gravity do the rest.

He was last seen passing Mars as of 1947.

 

what a motor.
Thankyou Sir Henry.

 

Russ. All US Packards were 'exact' copies of the Britt machine and are bound together with Brittish Standard fittings. Sort of a pain but ok. The race machines pull upwards of 135" mp and spin the thing up to 3600 revs. The crank counterweight is weighted and not sure how the boost is pushed up so high. The sound produced is rather akin to a high pitched scream. Normal operating range is 61/3000 but the democrat 100ll unfuel keeps stockers to 55/3000. BP makes up 10k gals of 111/145 with pb for the Reno deal so we can pull race power without getting detonation.

 

Poor Jack only has 3 P-51's. This one just finished in time for the EAA Oshkosh clam bake in August.
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136" MP -- good heavens!

For reference (and fun) check out this link to the AAF's performance tests -- they're talking about increasing WEP boost to 80" Hg.

http://www.spitfireperformance.com/mustang/mustangtest.html