25.08.2008, 11:13
Re the engine smoke.
You'll find (I think) that the smoke/flames from the engine is due to the wartime aircraft running much richer mixtures than the modern aircraft use.
More fuel in the cylinders produces higher power, but also reduces engine lifespan. Most modern restorations run lower boost settings for the same reasons. Im also not sure that the same fuel is available.......
Just my understanding of it, and I'm more than happy to be corrected if I'm off the mark, but the smoke at start up is actually accurate for wartime aircraft... And if you've ever seen an aircraft crank over with a very rich mixture, you'll see the flames from the exhaust as well.
The link below is what looks like a Merlin engine at start.. (Not that they were 2000hp...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll3_1ad92z0
You'll find (I think) that the smoke/flames from the engine is due to the wartime aircraft running much richer mixtures than the modern aircraft use.
More fuel in the cylinders produces higher power, but also reduces engine lifespan. Most modern restorations run lower boost settings for the same reasons. Im also not sure that the same fuel is available.......
Just my understanding of it, and I'm more than happy to be corrected if I'm off the mark, but the smoke at start up is actually accurate for wartime aircraft... And if you've ever seen an aircraft crank over with a very rich mixture, you'll see the flames from the exhaust as well.
The link below is what looks like a Merlin engine at start.. (Not that they were 2000hp...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll3_1ad92z0