EAA Sport Aviation - September 2010

of aviation, and they’re still powering some
of the fastest propeller airplanes ever built.
The Merlin engine’s reign has
spanned 70 percent of the entire history

When You’re in IMC, You’ll Know Which Buttons to Push! When You’re in IMC, You’ll Know Which Buttons to Push!

Jack points to his valves in one of Strega’s spare heads.

2008 National CFI of the Year

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aero, too quickly. “Kinematics, friction—
any deviation from conservative
knowledge will cause problems.”
Is a Merlin in your future? If you
have to ask, the answer is probably no,
but the fact that this powerplant is still
unsurpassed in its universe is good
evidence that the engineers at Rolls-
Royce knew what they wanted, and how
to get it. Modern metallurgy helps today’s
developers, but the basics were just so
good. Would Greta Garbo have been any
prettier if she had taken modern
nutritional supplements?

The Merlin engine’s reign has spanned 70 percent of the entire history of aviation, and they’re still powering some of the fastest propeller airplanes ever built. They continue to inspire and reward the development accorded them by devoted geniuses and brilliant craftsmen.

When you go to Reno and hear a flight of Merlins fly by a hundred yards away, each pumping hard to make thousands of horsepower, you simply won’t be able to describe the sound. But you’ll never, ever forget it.

Jack Roush continues to recover from his injuries. He has returned to the racetrack and plans to fly soon. Best wishes are extended for his continuing recovery.