Most Important Aircraft Engine of the War? - Aircraft of World War II

twoeagles · 11-10-2006, 12:28 PM

This morning I was asked my opinion on one of those questions that can't
really have a best and final answer - what was the most important aircraft
engine produced in WW2? So many parameters to consider, and even a
point system to see what bubbles to the surface will come up short.
The Rolls Merlins powered the best of the British fighters and bombers;
where would the Luftwaffe have been without the DB601/603/605 series?
In terms of numbers, Pratt's R-1830 has got to be way up there beyond
100,000 units (B-24's alone would have needed 80,000 of them), yet most
people only talk about the R-2800. And then there is the Allison 1710...
How many engines powered PT boats as well as front line fighters?
For the most horsepower in a very tidy package, Napier Saber V...But it
was also problemmatic. Basically, I don't have a single answer.

Please weigh in!!!

Twitch · 11-10-2006, 12:58 PM

There just can't be ONE. too tough to choose. Perhaps one per country

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 11-10-2006, 01:01 PM

I have the best answer to this question.

The best engine of the war, was the engine that kept running long eneogh to get you back to base....

twoeagles · 11-10-2006, 01:28 PM

You do have an uncanny ability to cut straight to the heart of the matter, Adler!

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 11-10-2006, 01:32 PM

Tell me is true or not!

twoeagles · 11-10-2006, 01:46 PM

Is true. I have experienced the ass puckering silence of an airplane that
should be making noise...

Hunter368 · 11-10-2006, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerAdlerIstGelandet

I have the best answer to this question.

The best engine of the war, was the engine that kept running long eneogh to get you back to base....

While I am no expert on engines but here is my half informed opinion:

Pratt and Whitney R-2800-21 engine

Gnomey · 11-10-2006, 01:59 PM

Don't forget the Merlin... Spitfire, Lancaster, Hurricane, Mosquito, Mustang etc

Hunter368 · 11-10-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gnomey

Don't forget the Merlin... Spitfire, Lancaster, Hurricane, Mosquito, Mustang etc

That was my first pic also until Chris suggested posting the tuffest engine. Merlin was a very good one, very important.

ndicki · 11-10-2006, 02:05 PM

It's probably more interesting to look not at the engine itself, but at the aircraft it enabled to be built, and the effect they had on the War.

That's why there can be only one answer - the Rolls Royce Merlin.

Look at the list of aircraft: Spitfire, Hurricane, Mustang, Mosquito, Lancaster, to name but a few. If you want more, you could go on with the Kittyhawk MkII, Fulmar, Battle, Defiant, Barracuda, Beaufighter MkII, York, Whitley, Halifax, Wellington MkII, VI, etc, etc... True, not all were overwhelming successes, although most were.

All in all, when you look at it from that point of view, there was no single more important engine.

Hunter368 · 11-10-2006, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndicki

It's probably more interesting to look not at the engine itself, but at the aircraft it enabled to be built, and the effect they had on the War.

That's why there can be only one answer - the Rolls Royce Merlin.

Look at the list of aircraft: Spitfire, Hurricane, Mustang, Mosquito, Lancaster, to name but a few. If you want more, you could go on with the Kittyhawk MkII, Fulmar, Battle, Defiant, Barracuda, Beaufighter MkII, York, Whitley, Halifax, Wellington MkII, VI, etc, etc... True, not all were overwhelming successes, although most were.

All in all, when you look at it from that point of view, there was no single more important engine.

I agree with that, its was not a tuff as the P&W-2800, but it played a bigger role.

wmaxt · 11-10-2006, 02:21 PM

I think Adler got it right.

wmaxt

ndicki · 11-10-2006, 03:50 PM

Of course, just to be difficult, you could claim that either the Rolls Royce Derwent or the JuMo 004 was the best, in so far as they opened the door to modern aviation...

the lancaster kicks ass · 11-10-2006, 04:28 PM

that's a point, pick a best piston and best jet?

My vote goes to the Merlin, people bash inlines as weak and unreliable but the merlin was one of the most reliable engines of the war! but i'd say the merlin mostly for the fact she made so many aircraft possible, one figure i've read put it at 21 aircraft in wartime alone.........

Soren · 11-10-2006, 04:38 PM

I'm with Adler as-well.

However worth mentioning is the DB-600 series fighter engine, as it was probably one of the most produced fighter engines of WWII and also one of the most reliable and powerful.

11-10-2006, 12:28 PM	#1
twoeagles Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chambersburg Posts: 665	Most Important Aircraft Engine of the War? This morning I was asked my opinion on one of those questions that can't really have a best and final answer - what was the most important aircraft engine produced in WW2? So many parameters to consider, and even a point system to see what bubbles to the surface will come up short. The Rolls Merlins powered the best of the British fighters and bombers; where would the Luftwaffe have been without the DB601/603/605 series? In terms of numbers, Pratt's R-1830 has got to be way up there beyond 100,000 units (B-24's alone would have needed 80,000 of them), yet most people only talk about the R-2800. And then there is the Allison 1710... How many engines powered PT boats as well as front line fighters? For the most horsepower in a very tidy package, Napier Saber V...But it was also problemmatic. Basically, I don't have a single answer. Please weigh in!!!

11-10-2006, 12:58 PM	#2
Twitch Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: City of the Angels California Posts: 809	There just can't be ONE. too tough to choose. Perhaps one per country __________________

11-10-2006, 01:01 PM	#3
DerAdlerIstGelandet Der Crewchief Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ansbach, Germany Posts: 33,152	I have the best answer to this question. The best engine of the war, was the engine that kept running long eneogh to get you back to base.... __________________ fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"[/I]

11-10-2006, 01:32 PM	#5
DerAdlerIstGelandet Der Crewchief Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ansbach, Germany Posts: 33,152	Tell me is true or not! __________________ fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"[/I]

11-10-2006, 01:59 PM	#8
Gnomey "World Traveller" Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Royal Deeside/St Andrews, Scotland, UK Posts: 15,224	Don't forget the Merlin... Spitfire, Lancaster, Hurricane, Mosquito, Mustang etc __________________ "Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal, it is the Courage to Continue that Counts" Sir Winston Churchill "To him the People of the World Largely owe the Freedom and Liberties they Enjoy Today" Enscription on Hugh Dowding's (AOC Fighter Command 1936-40) statue in London WW2 Talk: A WW2 Discussion Forum My Photo Collections on Flickr

11-10-2006, 01:28 PM	#4
twoeagles Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chambersburg Posts: 665	You do have an uncanny ability to cut straight to the heart of the matter, Adler!

11-10-2006, 01:46 PM	#6
twoeagles Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chambersburg Posts: 665	Is true. I have experienced the ass puckering silence of an airplane that should be making noise...

11-10-2006, 02:05 PM	#10
ndicki Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 777	It's probably more interesting to look not at the engine itself, but at the aircraft it enabled to be built, and the effect they had on the War. That's why there can be only one answer - the Rolls Royce Merlin. Look at the list of aircraft: Spitfire, Hurricane, Mustang, Mosquito, Lancaster, to name but a few. If you want more, you could go on with the Kittyhawk MkII, Fulmar, Battle, Defiant, Barracuda, Beaufighter MkII, York, Whitley, Halifax, Wellington MkII, VI, etc, etc... True, not all were overwhelming successes, although most were. All in all, when you look at it from that point of view, there was no single more important engine. __________________ BATTLE OF FRANCE PROJECT for Combat Flight Simulator 3

11-10-2006, 02:21 PM	#12
wmaxt Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 1,175	I think Adler got it right. wmaxt

11-10-2006, 03:50 PM	#13
ndicki Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 777	Of course, just to be difficult, you could claim that either the Rolls Royce Derwent or the JuMo 004 was the best, in so far as they opened the door to modern aviation... __________________ BATTLE OF FRANCE PROJECT for Combat Flight Simulator 3

11-10-2006, 04:28 PM	#14
the lancaster kicks ass Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 19,945	that's a point, pick a best piston and best jet? My vote goes to the Merlin, people bash inlines as weak and unreliable but the merlin was one of the most reliable engines of the war! but i'd say the merlin mostly for the fact she made so many aircraft possible, one figure i've read put it at 21 aircraft in wartime alone......... __________________ "Reminds me of the time I sank the Tirpitz" comments a Spitfire pilot, "One pass of course, old boy."

11-10-2006, 04:38 PM	#15
Soren Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,113	I'm with Adler as-well. However worth mentioning is the DB-600 series fighter engine, as it was probably one of the most produced fighter engines of WWII and also one of the most reliable and powerful. __________________ It was like being pushed by an Angel! - Adolf Galland I'm an educated engineer, so I love being technical and appraising of great inventions. So if you think I am being biased about something: Tell me! Then you'll probably find out that I am not

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