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- Wasn't one reason for using the V-1650 in the P-40 because it had a 2-speed drive?
- Could an excellent multi-speed drive somewhat mitigate the effects of having only one stage?
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- Wasn't one reason for using the V-1650 in the P-40 because it had a 2-speed drive?
- Could an excellent multi-speed drive somewhat mitigate the effects of having only one stage?
- Which engines and aircraft had multi-speed drives? Which had only single speed?
- Whatever else comes to mind
The only other sensible option would have been the Mustang, and for that to work, the USAAF would have needed to take interest sooner AND North American would have to put emphasis on adopting the V-1650 from the start (at very least in parallel with the Allison powered prototypes). With the existing British interest in that design, importing a British (or Canadian) Merlin XX for prototype expedience may have made sense as well.I would add as far as the P-40 goes that it was the only logical choice. The Original contract for the Merlin engine with Packard was for 9,000 engines of which the British were to get 6,000 and the US 3,000. They had to go in something and they sure weren't going to work in P-39s. Much as members here fantasize about P-38s with Merlin engines that wasn't going to happen either in early 1942. A a pair of engines offering 1100hp at 20,000ft (Merlin XXs ) or a pair of engines offering 1150hp at 25,000ft (turbo Allison's). Please remember it took around 6 months from Prototype P-40F to first production example. Messing around with the P-38 in the fall of 1941 could have meant hundreds fewer P-38s built in 1942.
Leaves the P-40 to use up the Merlins by default.
I would add as far as the P-40 goes that it was the only logical choice. The Original contract for the Merlin engine with Packard was for 9,000 engines of which the British were to get 6,000 and the US 3,000. They had to go in something and they sure weren't going to work in P-39s. Much as members here fantasize about P-38s with Merlin engines that wasn't going to happen either in early 1942. A a pair of engines offering 1100hp at 20,000ft (Merlin XXs ) or a pair of engines offering 1150hp at 25,000ft (turbo Allison's). Please remember it took around 6 months from Prototype P-40F to first production example. Messing around with the P-38 in the fall of 1941 could have meant hundreds fewer P-38s built in 1942.
Leaves the P-40 to use up the Merlins by default.
Other, non-Merlin options (with caveat that Curtiss produces 'A-40', so fighter funds can be re-allocated to NAA):
- push for Mustang with 9.60:1 supercharged V-1710 instead of A-36
- two stage V-1710 for Mustang
are you really going to get enough to make any difference to the war, not just the Mustang record book?
You had two speed R-1830s and two speed R-2800s. what is the 3rd gear going to do?