differences in merllins

[mike siggins]

what was the differnce between a 45 and 50 motor and was there more models after the 50

 

[Aozora]

From memory, one of the major differences between the 45 and 50 was that the 45 series was fitted with a float carburettor (carburetor in American) whereas the 50 series used an injection carby, plus the 50s were reinforced internally - but there are probably others who know more than I do. Of course there were later Merlins, starting with the 60 series which used two-stage, two-speed superchargers: the Merlin 61 used in a Spitfire VC airframe became the Spitfire Mk IX, which brought Spitfire performance up to near parity with the Focke-Wulf Fw 190A. A good primer on later Merlins, written by Rolls-Royce's chief engineer can be found Here

 

[tomo pauk]

The Merlin 30 series might be considered as the heirs to the Merlin 50, ie. single-speed, single stage 'branch' of the Merlin? The two speed, single stage versions (Merlin 20 series; despite the number, those are 'better' than single-speed versions) went their way, while Merlin 60 series were two-stage versions.

Here is about the M 45 -> M 50 relations:

 

[wuzak]

Some Merlin 30 series were single speed, and some 2 speed.

30 was single speed
31 2 speed
32 single speed
33 2 speed
34 2 speed
35 single speed
38 2 speed (Packard built Merlin 22)

Lumsden has the following 40 50 series engines
45
45M (cropped supercharger)
46
47
50
50A
50M (cropped supercharger)
55
55A
55M (cropped supercharger)
55MA (cropped supercharger, 2 piece blocks)
56

All engines 60 and above were two stage units.

 

[Vintageaeroengines]

All the Merlin's had 6 exhaust port heads.
Some aircraft exhaust systems had 3 double stacks, 5 single and one double or 6 individual stacks. All this with the same engine model makes it very confusing.
Mike