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Merlin engine issues - take 2?

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Merlin engine issues - take 2?

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Old 23rd Jun 2023, 12:31
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Merlin engine issues - take 2?



Any idea if this is a repeat of the pause on Merlin flying from a couple of years back ?
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Old 23rd Jun 2023, 14:45
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I assume it's connected with this event?
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Old 24th Jun 2023, 07:33
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1) Puff of black smoke when turning final.
2) Engine stopped on landing. Was this premeditated?
3) Pilot was able to re-start and taxy clear.
4) No sign of fire appliances attending. Normally in an emergency, they would wait at an intersection then follow the aircraft after it landed.

Could it have just been carb. icing?
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Old 24th Jun 2023, 15:50
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What about the Griffon engined aircraft? Mk 19?
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Old 24th Jun 2023, 17:11
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Originally Posted by aw ditor
What about the Griffon engined aircraft? Mk 19?
The problem apparently only affects the Merlin.
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Old 24th Jun 2023, 18:59
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As it appears to have cut out, but restarted, I would say fuel issues and as they are quoting the engine my bet is carburettor problems. That’s the first thing I would look at.
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Old 24th Jun 2023, 21:01
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Maybe Miss Shilling's orifice is feeling its age?

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Old 25th Jun 2023, 12:23
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Piston engines with carbs run richer in the hotter weather. I always lean a little when the air temps get towards 30 deg C to avoid a rich cut on throttle up from idle.
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Old 25th Jun 2023, 13:32
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Originally Posted by NutLoose
As it appears to have cut out, but restarted, I would say fuel issues and as they are quoting the engine my bet is carburettor problems. That’s the first thing I would look at.
As a general rule with petrol engines, if the first thing you suspect is the carburettor, look at the ignition; and vice versa. Never fails with lawn mowers!
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Old 25th Jun 2023, 13:45
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Originally Posted by Lima Juliet
Piston engines with carbs run richer in the hotter weather. I always lean a little when the air temps get towards 30 deg C to avoid a rich cut on throttle up from idle.
Plus piston engines with carbs run rich full stop, they use the extra fuel to cool the engine. Hence why you get a momentary rise when you pull the mixture as the engine reaches optimal burn.
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Old 25th Jun 2023, 16:44
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Originally Posted by chevvron
1) Puff of black smoke when turning final.
2) Engine stopped on landing. Was this premeditated?
3) Pilot was able to re-start and taxy clear.
4) No sign of fire appliances attending. Normally in an emergency, they would wait at an intersection then follow the aircraft after it landed.

Could it have just been carb. icing?
Indicating a momentary 'rich cut' due to the high OAT?
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Old 25th Jun 2023, 18:56
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I'm curious about the Kiwi logo on the aircraft?
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Old 25th Jun 2023, 19:12
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Originally Posted by Octane
I'm curious about the Kiwi logo on the aircraft?
Personal aircraft of Al Deere ;
https://www.tmbartmetal.com/spitfire-x4276-overview/ .
Other cuff-link manufacturers are available......
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Old 26th Jun 2023, 12:53
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Only Military operated Merlins it seems?
Lots of civil operated Spitfire experience flights observed over the weekend.
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Old 26th Jun 2023, 13:39
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After WW2, BOAC operated Avro Yorks and Canadair versions of the DC4 called Argonauts, they had RR Merlins:-





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Old 26th Jun 2023, 14:28
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Originally Posted by cessnapete
Only Military operated Merlins it seems?
Lots of civil operated Spitfire experience flights observed over the weekend.
Different set of operating rules (RAF) (MAA), they are probably looking at the cause of the problem, but have simply grounded the rest of the fleet as an in house safety precaution (as one would imagine all of their engines are overhauled by one company ) until the facts of the fault are established.
When they are and IF there is a mechanical problem, then they will inform the CAA who may issue an Airworthiness Directive for all the Civilian operators the check XYZ before, either a period of hours / days / next flight, to see if theirs are also faulty.

It could also be something simple that wouldn't warrant any of the above.
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Old 26th Jun 2023, 14:54
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I seem to remember when the Mustang Miss Helen had an engine problem leading to a slight undershoot of the grass runway at Duxford a decade or so back, it was a magneto issue which led to puffs of black smoke, misfiring and the loss of power.
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Old 26th Jun 2023, 15:52
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Rumour has it that there is a`shortage` of magnetos for Merlins,in repair /refurbishment...some operators are looking at electronic systems,similar to bikes/cars,etc,but can only run one system,in parallel with the other magneto...
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Old 26th Jun 2023, 16:49
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Originally Posted by sycamore
Rumour has it that there is a`shortage` of magnetos for Merlins,in repair /refurbishment...some operators are looking at electronic systems,similar to bikes/cars,etc,but can only run one system,in parallel with the other magneto...

Under what airworthiness rules are Merlin powered aircraft operated in UK? I own and operate an aircraft with dual electronic ignition (FAA experimental amateur built) and there are many others that do the same.
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Old 26th Jun 2023, 19:02
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Originally Posted by David Thompson
Personal aircraft of Al Deere ;<br /><a href="https://www.tmbartmetal.com/spitfire-x4276-overview/">https://www.tmbartmetal.com/spitfire...iew/</a> .<br />Other cuff-link manufacturers are available......
Just out of interest, Al Deere had binned the Kiwi logo by the time of the collision involving X4276 on 28 Dec 40. He kept the letter B though. After his escape from Kiwi III (destroyed by exploding bomb whilst scrambling from Hornchurch on 31 Aug 40), his mate George Gribble convinced him the logo was a jinx as the bird couldn't fly anyway! (Source: Al's autobiography Nine Lives).<br />

Last edited by Jobza Guddun; 26th Jun 2023 at 19:57. Reason: Typo
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