Sunday, July 17, 2011

Unmistakable sounds

Some sounds are simply unmistakable.  The Rolls Royce Merlin engine is one of these.



The De Haviland Mosquito was the fastest bomber of the War, although that's perhaps a bit unfair, as it was a multi-role aircraft par excellence.  Bomber, night fighter, reconnaissance, anti-sub: it wore many hats, and wore them well.  Keep in mind that in this video, the Mosquitos could outrun the escorting Spitfires.

The also got under Hermann Goering's skin.  Angry that England was producing these excellent aircraft out of wood, while German industry struggled to build ever fewer metal aircraft:
They have the geniuses and we have the nincompoops. After the war is over I'm going to buy a British radio set- then at least I'll own something that has always worked.
Sadly, out of the over 7,000 of these that were built, none can fly today.

8 comments:

  1. Home on the RangeJuly 17, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    In 1963 aircraft collector Lynn Garrison purchased a B.35 (RS700)(CF-HMS) from Spartan Air Services for display in Calgary, Alberta. As of this date, it is being restored by the Calgary Mosquito Society. I plan on visiting it when it's done.

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  2. TOTWTYTRJuly 17, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    If my memory isn't too faulty, the reason that Mosquitos aren't airworthy has to do with the way they were constructed. The wood was laminated and over time the glue used has deteriorated to the point that the integrity of the airframe is gone.

    This was particularly severe in the Asian theaters of war.

    Still and all, it would be nice to see one flying again.

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  3. Mark AlgerJuly 17, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    If that radio set would be by Lucas Electric, it might not "always work."

    As opposed to Blaupunkt or Grundig.

    M

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  4. Mark AlgerJuly 17, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    For a good chuckle, check this

    http://www.mez.co.uk/lucas.html

    M

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  5. Well Seasoned FoolJuly 17, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    Once warehoused engines and parts for the Unlimited Hydroplane teams before they went to turbines. Those Merlins are a treat to the eye just sitting on a transport cradle.

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  6. BorepatchJuly 17, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    Mark, that site is hilarious. I particularly like the schematic for the slo-blo fuse.

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  7. The Czar of MuscovyJuly 17, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    I think the beauty of the sound is that, in a War Machine, you want that minor chord holding. That nice, chilling Em that sounds like doom to the enemy, and rescue to the victorious.

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  8. AnonymousJuly 22, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    A sound that literally brings tears to the eyes.
    And the beauty of the design.......

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