Spit Mk1 Boost?

[Robo.]

Originally Posted by TomcatViP

And by the way I did alrdy put RR data on the forum. It does not say 17lb at all : 9 lb max op boost at rated alt. And it was in late 1940 early 41 (cant remember).

TomcatViP, you seem to be wrong - Merlin III in question was rated +6.25PSI and +12PSI with BCC-O and 100 octane fuel before the BoB actually started (10.7.1940), there many are official documents and with this topic being well documented, there is not much space for arguing or guessing I am afraid.

I really recommend reading any good book about this topic, ''Merlin in prespective'' is pretty much comprehensive and sheds a lot of light on how RR approached aircraft engines in that era compared to say DB - awesome reading.

The +17PSI is not mentioned in any Spitfire book, this is simply a figure the Merlin III achieved (not safely mind you!) without limiting the boost to certain PSI considered as safe and giving the engine reasonable life. That PSI is called 'rated boost' and it was +6.25PSI for Merlin III until they rated it for +12PSI with better fuel. The +12PSI was not standard rating, but highest permissable for short periods of time. Simple as that.

If you have any information about Merlin III being rated at +9PSI max, please provide, I quite like reading about engines.