Speaking of Merlins...

[Felix/FFDS]

By the end of the first year,1935 it was evident that with introduction of new and more powerful engine coming along,the slow biplanes with fixed undercarriage an the open cockpits,aircraft were becoming an embarrassment so Rolls Royce started to look around for a more suitable aircraft. To do this they had to go to Germany, where they found the ideal aircraft in the Heinkel He70. This was a very robust passenger carrying all metal aircraft which the German firm carried out the conversion. The aircraft was then flown back to Hucknall by Capt Sheperd on the 27th March 1936.

By the end of the first year,1935 it was evident that with introduction of new and more powerful engine coming along,the slow biplanes with fixed undercarriage an the open cockpits,aircraft were becoming an embarrassment so Rolls Royce started to look around for a more suitable aircraft. To do this they had to go to Germany, where they found the ideal aircraft in the Heinkel He70. This was a very robust passenger carrying all metal aircraft which the German firm carried out the conversion. The aircraft was then flown back to Hucknall by Capt Sheperd on the 27th March 1936.

[4_Series_Scania]

The gestation of the Merlin began with the famous R type engine of the Supermarine SG Schnieder Cup Seaplane racers in 1929.  Sir Henry Royce, about one year before his death in 1933, made a decision to develop a new engine using some of the experience of the Schneider Trophy winning 'R' engine. This new engine was initially known as the PV12 (private venture), and was entirely funded by Rolls-Royce up to that point. However, in 1933, the British Air Ministry agreed to finance the development of this engine, which was then termed the "Merlin."  :-*