Merlin III vs King Air E90

[AviatorJack]

Hi all,

Looking for information on the orginal Merlin III.

Our company is looking to purchase either the Merlin III or a King E90, we have our eye on a couple of models both in excellent condition . The problem is we have little information on the Merlin III. We need to review the performance stats and cannot find any reference anywhere. There is a little on the B and C models but not the original. We already know everything about the E90 but we would like to give the Merlin a fair chance in our decision. Plus the Merlin comes in a lot lower buying price.

The biggest task for either one is a 4000 ft grass runway with 100 ft trees at either end. We do it with no problem in a C208B at MTOW so I suppose the Merlin III should have no problem either.

The Merlin looks a better option for our clients as they require speed and range and I know it beats the E90 on that front.

Does anyone have any information or documentation on the Merlin and if anyone has flown/operated both aircraft, which one would you suggest?

Thank you in advance.

[Dream Land]

Hi, I have many years experience in all Merlin's and if we're talking about a straight SWIII, I'd say, don't even consider it, this model is a very complex and user unfriendly, the batteries are too small and the engines are tricky to start, you should own a GPU if you operate this machine, it's not at all suitable for a grass strip, just my opinion, on a good day you will see 260 KTS, but the people you choose to maintain it will always be happy to see you!

The 90 will not eat your lunch when you go to maintenance, the engines are easy to maintain, landing gear is made for grass strips and the speed is not much slower than that of the Merlin, air conditioning is bad on the Merlin, nonexistant on the ground. The 90 not good in turbulence due to the low wing loading, but the best machine of the two you mention.

I doubt if you have MU-2 time or you would probably already know that the Mitz is made to do this job, a Solataire will cruise in the range of 330 KTS and is specifically made for unimproved strips, wing loading the same as a LR23, great in turbulence and low on maintenance, you must have previous experience to get insurance though.

Cheers, D.L.

[epsum]

Any 90 on grass strips? I flew with older 90B in Northern Europe, and our flight and ops manual stated quite clearly that paved runways only.

[Lyman]

The Merlin needs some wishin' and hopin' to clear those obstacles. Weak.
So I am told.......

[AviatorJack]

Thanks everyone. That gave me the solid answer I was looking for Dreamland. :ok:

By the way, it will be Africa, so dirt strips and heavy conditions all the way. I still belive Caravan's and 90's were designed for the bush :cool:, any where else and they are plain useless, well almost. But thank you anyway.

The King 90 it is, unless anyone else has another option that can compete, apart from the MU-2.

AJ

[Tinstaafl]

Have you considered a TurboCommander? Not sure how the low belly would be for the strips you intend to use but at least the props are kept well clear. Or Cessna's Conquest 1 or 2? If pressurisation isn't required then a Caravan II (Riems F406 - essentially a C404 with PT6s) might be an option.

A somewhat larger option could be a LET410UVP/LET420.