Mozzie
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Admiral Beez
Major
Even the Hornet didn't get Griffons. I wonder if the ROI was considered too low.
While attempted on the Beaufighter, AFAIK, the Griffon was never used operationally in a twin configuration. It was used in the four engine Shackleton.
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I've raised this point before and had blows rain down upon my head; England may simply have been constrained in terms of man-power to spare the effort. I'd wager the original proposal rough drawings were dusted off on occasion, but keep in mind the powers that be preferred the Merlin at the start due to availability.
By mid-'43 when serious thoughts and resources could move to an re-engined airplane... did de Havilland have the engineering manpower available with the Hornet, Vampire and ongoing Mosquito programs? Did Rolls have the spare engineering staff to devote to a paper airplane with the Spitfire programs, Derwent, Trent, etc.
Lotsa' airplanes and lotsa' programs with lotsa' internal and external constraints.
By mid-'43 when serious thoughts and resources could move to an re-engined airplane... did de Havilland have the engineering manpower available with the Hornet, Vampire and ongoing Mosquito programs? Did Rolls have the spare engineering staff to devote to a paper airplane with the Spitfire programs, Derwent, Trent, etc.
Lotsa' airplanes and lotsa' programs with lotsa' internal and external constraints.
The Mk XIV Spitfire came to the war late, so a griffon engine d Mosquito would come later. The engines are heavier so it would probably be a complete re design. There isn't any free lunch in putting a bigger engine in a plane, as well as being more powerful it also used more fuel and would have an even lower rate of roll and ability to pull high "G" turns.
De Havilland actually did consider putting Griffons in the Mosquito. Before the prototype's design was finalised in 1940 there was a variant that was estimated on paper to be fitted with Griffons. Following on from the basic design, DH drew up two new designs based on the same airframe's manufacturing methods, the DH.101 powered by two Napier Sabres, again, one of the considered powerplants prior to finalisation of the prototype, and the DH.102 powered by Griffons. Both these aircraft were going to be slightly bigger but incorporating the basic layout of the Mossie.
The DH.102 was canned at the end of 1942 despite Air Staff interest because the company was overworked and had too many other commitments. Once it ended, the work force was instructed to proceed with the Hornet and Vampire, which represented better investments of time and energy, the latter considering it was a jet. The increase in performance and capability of the fitting of the 60 Series Merlins to the Mossie gave it an edge and this was a reason why other advanced twin engined aircraft by other companies - the Gloster Reaper, the Hawker P.1005 for example, were not proceded with, that and both firms had more urgent matters to be proceeding with.
The DH.102 was canned at the end of 1942 despite Air Staff interest because the company was overworked and had too many other commitments. Once it ended, the work force was instructed to proceed with the Hornet and Vampire, which represented better investments of time and energy, the latter considering it was a jet. The increase in performance and capability of the fitting of the 60 Series Merlins to the Mossie gave it an edge and this was a reason why other advanced twin engined aircraft by other companies - the Gloster Reaper, the Hawker P.1005 for example, were not proceded with, that and both firms had more urgent matters to be proceeding with.
Crimea_River
Marshal
Why improve on perfection.......
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