1943: the best V-12 engine?

[tomo pauk]

1943 saw many fine engines taking the part in the war.
What type should be regarded as the best, making points in these categories: power (both down low and at altitude), specific power (hp/lb), reliability to run at high power, and other important categories. Only engines that were actively taking part in war in 1943 - no prototypes, or zero series.

 

[Vincenzo]

i think is again a choice within a Merlin and a DB 600 family (605 in this year).
for 1943 Griffon is low level specialized engine almost so was in the few on Spit XII

 

[Tante Ju]

IMHO turbocharged V-1710s are to be seriously considered. They were quite light, good fuel consumption and good output at all altitudes. DBs have good effiency but are somewhat low on power due to troubles, while Merlins are somewhat bulky and they eat through gasoline in no time...

Russian engines were never particularly good, best Italian and Japanese are essentially copies of German DBs..

 

[wuzak]

IMHO turbocharged V-1710s are to be seriously considered. They were quite light, good fuel consumption and good output at all altitudes.

The V-1710 is light, but when you add the weight of the turbo and all its bits and bobs, not so much.

Merlins are somewhat bulky and they eat through gasoline in no time...

2 stage Merlin is only slightly longer than single stage V-1710 (3 or 4 inches). It is much the same width and height, only the downdraft carby makes it taller. 2 stage Merlins weren't tuned for fuel consumption (valve timing and ignition timing, cr, etc.)

 

[wuzak]

for 1943 Griffon is low level specialized engine almost so was in the few on Spit XII

Spitfire XIV begins production in 1943, using the Griffon 65.

This would be my vote for the best V12 of 1943.

 

[Vincenzo]

only 20 Spit XIV were delivered in 1943...

 

[wuzak]

only 20 Spit XIV were delivered in 1943...

How many Griffon 65 were made?