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Originally Posted by Robo.
Quite complicated indeed. I have no knowledge of using different types of superchargers for A-1 engines (if you could point me to some reference that would be great!). Only tech. document I have is Betriebs- und Wartungsvorschrift for DB 601A (Aus. C, October '40), unfortunately, it's not going into further detail (obviously) and it does not distinguish between 601 subversions at all. Do you mean the A-0 by 'old Supercharger'?
http://kurfurst.org/Engine/DB60x/DB6...sheets_A0.html
I always thought Aa was basically slightly modified (re-designed head, reinforced valves allowing higher MFP, different supercharger gear ratio (I am not sure about exact details here) leading to slightly lower FTH traded for more power below FTH. |
Hi!
I have very little data of the technical 601Aa, apart from that it seems that it was originally meant as an export version (small a = auslandisch or foreign, ie. export), but about 1/3 of all 601s were of the Aa version (info via butch2k). All E-7s (save the ones with 601N) and all /B versions had the Aa. The rest were probably mixed. As for output, all I can say it had improved output and higher manifold pressures.
As for the improved supercharger, I can attach to technical sheet (showing the increased FTH of the new supercharger, or neue Lader) and power curves for the new supercharger DB 601A-1. I believe the A-0 was an early pre-production model only.
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I agree. Plus it wasn't just the engine power but power to weight ratio which was in favour of the German design. Still very interesting discussion (although OT  ). I find it difficult to compare the power of Merlins and DBs as British documents usually mention bHP (brake horse power). The data you posted are correct, of course.
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Yes, all things consider regardless of similar outputs the DBs were powering a lighter plane with smaller drag, so even when the powers were similar, it meant a flight performance advantage for the 109s.
I believe the conversion between continental PS and imperial BHP is 0,986 PS = 1 HP. It makes very little difference, especially in practice considering the tolerance for production engines. One 109 report I have for example shows the engine was down about 50 HP compared to nominal..
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The XII was not so rare during BoB, the XX and 601N were later designs and ones to be directly compared in my opinion.
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I agree, the Merin XX was a good engine, and saw some service late in the BoB with Hurri IIs. Personally, I tend to pretty much ignore it, since lets face it, since it was powering the rather obsolate Hurricane airframe, it amounted to little other than 'a kiss to a dead person'. It didn't really change much, the Hurricane was a dead end.