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Aviation History
1944
1944 - 0497.PDF
MARCH CJTH, 1944 353 CE GRIFFON IQUID COOLING : RE3VIARKABLY SYSTEM OF CARBURATION Naturally, production-type engines from which reliable service is demanded over lengthy periods could not, at that time, be expected to attain such astounding figures, but the march of time and progress of recent years in supercharger design, metallurgical problems and fuel have served to eliminate one by one the obstacles in the way. As fitted to the Spitfire, the Griffon engine has a two- speed mechanically driven supercharger of the same general type as that fitted to the Merlin XX engine which gives it an outstanding performance, not only at low altitudes, but also at heights between 15,000 and 25,000ft., in which region very many combats take place. r Auxiliary Drives An interesting feature of the Griffon not usually found on engines in fighter aircraft, is the provision of a remote gear box, shaft-driven from the engine, on which are mounted the mechanically driven accessories required to operate the retractable undercarriage, the wheel brakes and wing flaps, blind-flying instrument panel and the generator for the wireless installation. Normally these accessories are mounted on the engine wherever arrange ments can be made to drive them, but it will be obvious. that the provision of an independent gear box makes for simplification of engine and accessory installation and their subsequent maintenance. It will thus be appreciated that the newest British air craft engine is neither a modification of the racing engine nor a stepped-up Merlin. Rather it should be described as an engine representing the accumulated experience Another view demonstrating the extraordinary compactness of the design. Its very small frontal area is a great advantage in fighter aircraft. The reduction gear is an improvement on the Merlin. of two of the most notable aero engines the world has known. The choice of cylinder arrangement and size from the " R " engine must have been a happy one for the purpose of producing immense power from an-engine of small overall dimensions, whilst prolonged experience with the Merlin assisted materially in providing the on- Reminiscent of the Merlin, the Rolls-Royce Griffon is 23 per cent. * larger in capacity, i.e., 36.7 litres compared to 27 litres. Apart from cylinder capacity, the main differences apply to the super charger and the system of carburation. This new British engine gives the latest Spitfire a striking performance.
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