V1650s

V1650s are a family of V-12, liquid-cooled aircraft engines produced in the United States under license from Rolls-Royce for use in Allied aircraft during World War II. The designation reflects a displacement of approximately 1,650 cubic inches (about 27 liters). The engines are derived from the Rolls-Royce Merlin design and were manufactured by Packard, with US-built variants serving as the American counterpart to the British engine.

Design and development

The V-1650s were produced as a license-built version of the Merlin, sharing its basic configuration, two overhead camshafts per bank, and four valves per cylinder. They employed a supercharger system to boost performance at altitude and were adapted for American fuel and manufacturing practices. The family encompassed several sub-variants, tuned for different performance demands and aircraft roles.

Variants and performance

Common variants included the V-1650-1, -3, -7, and -9 series, each adapted for specific missions and aircraft. horsepower and boost varied by variant and installation, with output typically in the approximate range of 1,200 to 1,700 horsepower depending on boost settings and altitude. The most widely produced and deployed version was the V-1650-7, which powered many examples of the North American P-51 Mustang and other Allied aircraft.

Operational use

V-1650 engines powered a number of Allied types during the war, most famously the P-51 Mustang in several mark configurations. They also equipped other fighters and reconnaissance aircraft that required the Merlin-derived powerplant. The engines contributed to the performance improvements that helped establish air superiority in multiple theaters.

Legacy

With the end of World War II, the V-1650 family was supplanted by more modern designs, but its production and deployment demonstrated the effectiveness of licensed, domestically produced merlin-derived powerplants in expanding Allied air capabilities.