04/10/2012
Diagram from the Rolls Royce Merlin II (and III) engine overhaul manual:
The Rolls-Royce Merlin II is a British V-12 27 litre (1,650 cu in) piston engine. It is liquid-cooled, and it was initially known as the PV-12: the PV-12. The name changed to "Merlin" when the engine went into production and it follows the company's convention of naming it's engines after birds of prey. http://stores.ebay.com/FLUG-ARCHIV-20/_i.html?LH_BIN=1&rt=nc&_nkw=Spitfire&_sid=119633348&_sticky=1&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14&_sop=3&_sc=1
The PV-12 first ran in 1933 and after several modifications, the first production variants were built in 1936. The first operational aircraft to enter service using the Merlin were the Fairey Battle, Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire.
A series of rapidly applied developments, brought about by wartime needs, markedly improved the engine's performance and durability. A major technical contributor was the Packard Motor Car Company.
After Henry Ford rejected building aero engines for Britain by declaring that he would build for US defence only, Packard picked up the contract (thank God).
The above is from the rare manual for the earliest applied iteration of the Merlin as installed in the Battle for France and Battle of Britain Spitfires and Hurricanes. It is the maintenance and overhaul manual for the Merlin II.
