Thread: Interesting, Odd or Funny Pics II.

I don't think any Merlin engines supported contra-rotating props, although as noted above some reverse rotating props were made for twins. The Spitfires with contra-rotating props had Griffons.

(The Griffon was a much larger capacity engine than the Merlin, but same external size, and was designed as a drop in more powerful replacement in 1940, but did not catch up to the Merlin in power output until 1945.)

I always remember the Short Sturgeon as a nice looking aircraft, that went from sleek...

Short Sturgeon - Merlin 140 engines with contra-rotating props.jpg




...to not so sleek...

Short Sturgeon - ASW version.jpg

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Stand-by, awaiting permission from Mrs B, to accept.

You heard that? OMFG!


She did say something about providing I do not have to claw my way past Miss Moneypenny's skirt to the Spitfire Stolen Specs. cupboard under her desk though.

Devious? I can do that.



Sgd. James 3.

Originally Posted by cripesamighty

I always remember the Short Sturgeon as a nice looking aircraft, that went from sleek...

Short Sturgeon - Merlin 140 engines with contra-rotating props.jpg




...to not so sleek...

Short Sturgeon - ASW version.jpg

And then nearly back again to a Droopnose ASW Rotary wing. Should have been named the Short Sea Elephant.

Originally Posted by cripesamighty

Speaking of Merlin engines and Spitfires, I once lent out a book with a whole bunch of Pilot Officer Prune cartoons in it from WWII era, but never got it back. I always thought those cartoons were excellent. The book had an excerpt from the RAF Pilot's handbook from the mid-1930's which stated something like 'if you are to crash land - pick the softest, cheapest crash site'.



Pilot Officer Prune says 'A good landing is one you can walk away from'.

Don't talk to me about lending aircraft Books! By pure chance I found a brand new Lancaster Hardcover book on an ABC book stall. A4 Size with oodles of B&W images of the time. Excellent price as well.


So what did I do? Being tre tre generous beyond belie,f I loaned it to an ex RAAF Lanc crew member client of mine. Never had time to even note my contact details in it. Time went on & I think he probably died, house cleared, no name or phone no. so bye bye book.


I had it for so short a time so never even recorded the title of it. Have you ever tried to locate a book that you don't know the title of? Bloody difficult I can assure you. Searches turn up thousands but you never recognise the title.

Only in special circumstances will I lend a book these days & only to special people. Then they have to forcibly be fitted with Prison GPS Bracelets.

Originally Posted by cripesamighty

From memory, I can't remember if any Spits had a RR Merlin with contra rotating props like the RR Griffon engined Spits. However, post-war the Short Sturgeon was fitted with 2x contra-propped RR Merlins - can't remember what model of Merlin though.

I knew they had contra rotating props in the end, but have obviously forgotten about the engine change.

It'd be 40 years since I read the book.

They did get bigger rudders.................. all the mods are listed here:

Supermarine Spitfire (late Merlin-powered variants) - Wikipedia

Mrs 4B could read it to her beloved in bed tonight.

cheers, DL

I know what you mean. Gone are my school days decades ago when I had a bunch of aviation reference books memorised from cover to cover!

Originally Posted by cripesamighty

Speaking of Merlin engines and Spitfires, I once lent out a book with a whole bunch of Pilot Officer Prune cartoons in it from WWII era, but never got it back. I always thought those cartoons were excellent. The book had an excerpt from the RAF Pilot's handbook from the mid-1930's which stated something like 'if you are to crash land - pick the softest, cheapest crash site'.



Pilot Officer Prune says 'A good landing is one you can walk away from'.

A great landing is being able to use the 'plane again tomorrow...