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Is the post #2 here of any use?Maybe I should phrase it as "is it worth it to get DH Hornet levels of power unit streamlining on a single seater" as far as reducing frontal area. Which, after all, was the point of the Merlin 130 engines for the Hornet having stuff moved around (reduce nacelle frontal area). Though, oddly, at the time the Hornet was conceived, the Merlin 60 series engines were what was initially envisioned for it.
DB 601-605 were rather slim already, IMO, especially concerning the swept volume.Were the Germans able to build extra slim versions of their engines? And if so, which one?
Take advantage of the now freed frontal area to install intercooler and/or oil cooler under the engine, so the drag is lowered?The cockpit, even on a Spitfire, has more frontal area than the Merlin engine of either standard type or the 130 series.
Since you can't make the cockpit area/cross section much smaller all you are going to get from using the 130 Merlin form is a bit better blend of the lines from the spinner to the cockpit.
It would also be interesting to see what people want to do with the carb inlet.
The Hornet stuck the carb inlet outboard in the wing as in BarnOwlLover's Post #24
The DB 605 A/B was quite well packaged, having inherited most of it's layout and external dimensions from the DB 601, particularly the DB 601 E. The DB 605 AS introduced a marked increase in the engine width at the supercharger, which extended to the LHS and had an increased diameter. This required the extension of the LH cowling bulge and a larger intake scoop. Increased oil cooler size was also incorporated on most aircraft to match a higher heat rejection to the engine oil.Were the Germans able to build extra slim versions of their engines? And if so, which one?
Is it or have you just changed where the drag occurs?Take advantage of the now freed frontal area to install intercooler and/or oil cooler under the engine, so the drag is lowered?
The radiator(s) under a less tall enigine don't add to the frontal area, unlike the radoators used on 2-stage supercharged engines Spitfire/Spiteful used. Ideally, the lower nose would've been shaped as on the XP-40Q-2.Is it or have you just changed where the drag occurs?
yes the oil cooler in the under wing "box" with the radiator doesn't look good but you need a certain amount of air flowing through the oil cooler and you have to duct the air in and out.
Also looking at the Mustang, even the Allison powered versions had the deep engine cowling (lower cowling) that the Merlin powered versions would, even though the Allison V-1710 had a downdraft supercharger feed.
Its the roundels that do that, well worth the 20MPH you lose in top speed.Either way they sure are pretty.