Which country designed the best engines for WWII? - Aircraft of World War II

Soundbreaker Welch? · 05-31-2007, 08:06 PM

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 · 05-31-2007, 10:01 PM

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 · 05-31-2007, 11:39 PM

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 · 06-01-2007, 02:43 AM

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 · 06-01-2007, 08:40 AM

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 · 06-01-2007, 09:36 AM

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 · 06-01-2007, 06:48 PM

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 · 06-01-2007, 07:01 PM

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

pbfoot · 06-01-2007, 07:38 PM

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

Soundbreaker Welch? · 06-02-2007, 05:37 AM

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

GADGET · 06-03-2007, 05:08 PM

R2800 rules

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 06-04-2007, 05:23 PM

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 · 06-04-2007, 05:35 PM

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 · 06-04-2007, 06:58 PM

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 · 06-11-2007, 09:17 PM

no mention of the Packard improvements to the Merlin?

definitely significant..

View Poll Results: Which country designed the best aircraft engines for WWII?
England	57	38.00%
Germany	46	30.67%
United States	43	28.67%
Japan	1	0.67%
Russia	2	1.33%
Italy	0	0%
Spain	0	0%
France	0	0%
Poland	1	0.67%
Czechosloviaka	0	0%
Sweden	0	0%
Australia	0	0%
Canada	0	0%
Other:	0	0%
Voters: 150. You may not vote on this poll

05-31-2007, 08:06 PM	#1
Soundbreaker Welch? Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,893	Which country designed the best engines for WWII? 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? __________________ "His motor's conked out!" "What's the differance, they're all Nazis!" "Luke, shut up!" "Fear the hook!" "Oh.....I wanna fly." "You mean the kind that go under water and fly up the stairs?" "What you doing? Oh Nooooo!"

05-31-2007, 11:39 PM	#3
Parmigiano Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Campospinoso (PV), Italy Posts: 682	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. __________________ "God is dead" - Friedrich Nietzsche, 1882 "Nietzsche too" - God, Aug 25, 1900 He hoped and prayed that there wasn't an afterlife. Then he realized there was a contradiction involved here and merely hoped that there wasn't an afterlife. - Douglas Adams In those days spirits were brave, the stakes were high, men were real men, women were real women and small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri were real small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri. - Douglas Adams

06-01-2007, 08:40 AM	#5
FLYBOYJ IP/Mech THE GREAT GAZOO Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 16,050	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.... __________________ "IF ITS RED OR DUSTY, DON'T TOUCH IT"

06-01-2007, 09:36 AM	#6
evangilder "Shooter" Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 14,809	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. __________________ http://www.vg-photo.com For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return. Leonardo Da Vinci

05-31-2007, 10:01 PM	#2
timshatz Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Phila, Pa Posts: 3,446	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.

06-01-2007, 02:43 AM	#4
Maharg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 208	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.

06-01-2007, 06:48 PM	#7
Gnomey "World Traveller" Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Royal Deeside/St Andrews, Scotland, UK Posts: 15,224	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)... __________________ "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

06-01-2007, 07:01 PM	#8
mosquitoman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Saffron Walden/Sheffield Posts: 2,991	Don't forget the Bristol series of radial engines that were up there aswell. Britain didn't just have the merlin and Griffon __________________ When you realise that the light at the end of the tunnel is actually an oncoming train, you know it's time to run for your life

06-01-2007, 07:38 PM	#9
pbfoot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: niagara falls Posts: 5,586	Pratt and Whitney r1800 and r2600 thats all that needs to be said

06-02-2007, 05:37 AM	#10
Soundbreaker Welch? Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,893	So far, it looks like it's turning out to be a close poll. __________________ "His motor's conked out!" "What's the differance, they're all Nazis!" "Luke, shut up!" "Fear the hook!" "Oh.....I wanna fly." "You mean the kind that go under water and fly up the stairs?" "What you doing? Oh Nooooo!"

06-03-2007, 05:08 PM	#11
GADGET Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 46	R2800 rules

06-04-2007, 05:23 PM	#12
DerAdlerIstGelandet Der Crewchief Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ansbach, Germany Posts: 33,152	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. __________________ 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]

06-04-2007, 05:35 PM	#13
pbfoot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: niagara falls Posts: 5,586	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

06-04-2007, 06:58 PM	#14
renrich Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Montrose, Colorado Posts: 3,271	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.

06-11-2007, 09:17 PM	#15
Jackson Banned Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 180	no mention of the Packard improvements to the Merlin? definitely significant..

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