Quote:
Originally Posted by NZtyphoon
So he is trying to claim the Merlin III's maximum designed continuous power rating was +4 1/2 lbs at 2600rpm, and about 400hp.
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I don't know if power at maximum continuous rating was 400hp, I've never seen a value for it. Rolls Royce always give International Rating, Maximum Rating and Maximum Take-off Rating. Sometimes Minimum Take-off Rating (this is at maximum allowed take-off boost with minimum allowed RPM, which is only important for fixed propellers).
Maximum continuous rating (1,15ata 2000 PRM) of DB601A was 810hp (@0km) to 860hp (@5km). As the maximum output is almost the same we can assume that the Merlin has a comparable power at continuous rating.
Here is the (not so serious) protocol from the design meeting at Rolls-Royce when they thought about their new high performance fighter engine. Engineer A is a daredevil, he likes fast, loud and dangerous stuff. Engineer B is a square and a careful engineer, he likes reliably stuff.
Engineer A: "I think with that design we should get 1,100hp maximum output. That's a great improvement compared to the 700hp of the Peregrine. Image how fast our fighters will fly with that. What do you think?"
Engineer B: "Hmm ... yes this should give about 800hp at a reasonable engine life of 100 hours between overhaul. I'm cool with that."
Engineer A: "Yeah whatever ... So we define our design goal as 1,100hp maximum and 800hp continuous output. Deal?"
Engineer B: "Deal! Let's do it!"
Later at Air Ministry ...
Engineer B: "This is our new engine design. We estimated it will will produce 800hp ..."
Engineer A: *facepalm*
Air Ministry: "What? The Germans build engines with 1000hp maximum output! You are useless!"
Engineer A: "May I interrupt? The 800 hp is the continuous rating, the maximum output will be 1,100hp."
Air Ministry: "... OK now that sound good. We want 900 engines delivered in 3 month. ... Oh and next time just tell me the maximum output. At Air Ministry we like fast, loud and dangerous stuff."
While leaving Air Ministry ...
Engineer A: "I told ya!"
Engineer B: "..."