First flight with the Merlin engine
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From: Essex
First flight with the Merlin engine
In “Flight” dated 19 October 1951 it states that the Rolls Royce Chief Test Pilot, Ronald Shepherd “was the first man to fly behind a Merlin”. I had understood that the identity of the pilot flying the Hawker Hart in the engine’s first outing as the PV12 was not known and that the first Merlin prototype was in the prototype Hawker Hurricane flown by George Bulman.
Will it be possible to add this achievement to Shepherd’s already impressive list of aviation firsts.
Please is anyone able to clarify the position for me?
Will it be possible to add this achievement to Shepherd’s already impressive list of aviation firsts.
Please is anyone able to clarify the position for me?
Last edited by Red Gate; 25th September 2025 at 08:15.
