Merlin Men

[Jack Cook]

[retroaviation]

That's gotta be a staged shot.........there's only three guys working on that Merlin. The other two must be out searching for cams.

Gary

[Trey Carroll]

Why are the gun ports covered? I knew they covered them to prevent dust from jamming the guns but I can't tell if that's a crap load of tape or not. I don't think it is but I'm just not sure.

[Jack Cook]

This is one of the first Merlin powered 51s in England and the ports are still
sealed. It come over has deck cargo on a freightor (has did most). This photo was a staged PR shot at a depot.

[Elwyn]

What port do they have covered in front of the wheel well? Gun camera maybe?

[Trey Carroll]

Thanks Jack!!!

[Jack Cook]

What port do they have covered in front of the wheel well? Gun camera maybe?

Yes!

[Cvairwerks]

This is probably a staged picture, but the gun ports were almost always covered with either tape or a doped on patch once the crew had cleaned and serviced the guns. That was about the only way to keep any dirt out of the fresh cleaned weapon. If you watch a lot of gun camera film, you can see the cover patches or tape being blown off during the first firing, or see it flapping about during subsequent firings.

Craig

[Glenn Wegman]

That's gotta be a staged shot.........there's only three guys working on that Merlin. The other two must be out searching for cams.

Gary, what's wrong with this picture?

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=11618&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

How big a bus do you have to haul the mechanics?

[retroaviation]

How big a bus do you have to haul the mechanics?

We use the little, short, yellow school bus.

Gary

[Bill Greenwood]

All day yesterday I tried to think of a good retort to another one of Gary's comments about the Mighty Magic Merlin, but it was such beautiful skiing and so good to see the sun again, that I couldn't really get in a combative mood. Here's the best I could do: What those mechanics are really saying is, " Man look at that beautiful streamlined engine, no wonder the Spitfire pilots don't want to transfer in that other US fighter, the fat one with the bomber motor." And Glen, I am dissapointed at you; you sat right behind me at NWOC. If I had realized you were posessed of a severe case of Merlin envy like Gary, I would have enlisted Vlado and Eddie to try an exorcism on you.

[Glenn Wegman]

Hello Bill,

I didn't go to NWOC!

Please tell me there aren't two of me!!

I'll take the Merlin thank you. Just changed a cylinder on a P&W 2800 a week ago and ruined all of my clothes! Looks like I get to change another one next week. If this keeps up I think I'll invest in a rain suit!

Perhaps I should give up trying to get it to run like a Merlin

[jaybird]

Glenn, would that be a Corsair engine that ruined your clothes? I'll be down next week.....would love to see a bent winger there.

[Glenn Wegman]

Hello Jason,

Well, then you just ought to come on down!

[SparrowV12]

Hey Gary, just remeber it was you that said the radial guys ride the LITTLE school bus!!!!