Which country designed the best engines for WWII?

[Soundbreaker Welch?]

I'm a bit ignorant on this subject.

But I guess Merlin was amazing, Griffon was good, so England has a good reputation.

For the USA, Pratt Whitney?

Junkers Jumo for Germany?

 

[timshatz]

Lot of good ones. Merlin was certainly a great engine. No doubt about it. So was the P&W R-2800. Another great. Also the Wright Cyclone.

Germans had the BMW 800 and Diamler Benz 600.

Russians had a bunch as well (sorry I'm not specific here).

But throughout WW2, all sides sort of "kept up" with each other as much as possible. The Japenese definitely lagged as did the Italians and other smaller countries. But the big players (US, Britian, Germany and Russia) all managed to produce engines that were roughly parrallel to each other in power.

 

[Parmigiano]

I voted England, mainly for the Merlin.
In my view it was the most successful engine, running in 39 and developed until 45 with an incredible development. Other Countries had great engines, but the Merlin has powered everything and was always on top of performances.

 

[Maharg]

Inline it has to be the Merlin.
Rotary its a toss up between Pratt Whitney and BMW.

I voted for the Poms because of the Merlin.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

The radials designed by the US were a major part of the civilian market for years. From the PW 985 through the Curtiss 3350, look how many pre-war and post war aircraft used Pratt or CW round engines, and there are many around today....

 

[evangilder]

Allisons are used a lot for high performance boats these days too. Tough one for me. Germany, US and Britain all had some great engines.

 

[Gnomey]

Yep. All the major countries had good engines with the Germans and Americans having good rotaries and the British having a good inline. For me I voted for Britain because of the Merlin among others with the US and Germany very close behind.

Can someone change the England in the poll to Britain (or UK)...

 

[mosquitoman]

Don't forget the Bristol series of radial engines that were up there aswell. Britain didn't just have the merlin and Griffon

 

[pbfoot]

Pratt and Whitney r1800 and r2600 thats all that needs to be said

 

[Soundbreaker Welch?]

So far, it looks like it's turning out to be a close poll.

 

[GADGET]

R2800 rules

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Hmm I cant really vote for anyone, its a tough call.

Best Radials in my opinion were built by the US with the PW series and followed by Germany with the BMW 800s.

Inlines is a toss up between German and England in my opinion.

 

[pbfoot]

If you look at the aircraft the PW's powered including replacing the Bristols in RAF aircraft you can't really argue to much IMHO

 

[renrich]

Lets see, the PW R2800 powered the P47, F4U, F6F, B26, A26, C46, too many to enumerate. Smaller PWs powered B24, etc. Wright Cyclones powered a number of attack planes as well as B17s. Seems like US has big edge if only radials considered. British had RR Merlins which powered Spits, Hurris, Lancasters, etc. Bristol radials. Germany had DB inlines which powered BFs and several med. bombers and BMW radials in FWs etc. What hurts US is no really successful inline engines. Had to use RR in fighters and PT boats. The fine radials they built offset some but tough call.

 

[Jackson]

no mention of the Packard improvements to the Merlin?

definitely significant..

 

[pbfoot]

no mention of the Packard improvements to the Merlin?

definitely significant..

I've heard pilots say they prefered the RR version

 

[FLYBOYJ]

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/aviation/merlins-packard-vs-rr-2013.html

 

[pbfoot]

My comment cannot be taken as gospel the fact being if one guy had a lemon of an engine the rumour would start just like Tony Levier and the P38 rumours

 

[FLYBOYJ]

My comment cannot be taken as gospel the fact being if one guy had a lemon of an engine the rumour would start just like Tony Levier and the P38 rumours

What rumors frm LeVier?

 

[pbfoot]

What rumors frm LeVier?

sorry misworded LeVier went out if I'm correct and disproved the rumours on the 38