DETROIT'S SECRET WEAPON: Packard Building the Legendary Rolls-Royce Merlin in the USA

In the darkest hours of World War II, the legendary Rolls-Royce Merlin engine was the heart of Britain's defiant warbirds. But to win the war, Britain needed thousands more than it could ever produce. The call for help went out across the Atlantic, and one of America's most prestigious luxury automakers, the Packard Motor Car Company, answered.

This documentary tells the incredible story of one of the greatest technological transfers and manufacturing feats of the 20th century. Journey with us inside the massive Detroit factories to witness how Packard took a masterpiece of British hand-craftsmanship and completely re-engineered it for American mass production. It was a monumental challenge of translating complex blueprints, converting measurements, and redesigning components to be built with unprecedented speed and precision.

Through rare archival footage and expert analysis, we explore the innovations and struggles behind the creation of the Packard Merlin, designated the V-1650. This engine would go on to power the definitive versions of the P-51 Mustang, transforming it from a good fighter into arguably the greatest long-range escort fighter of the war, capable of flying to Berlin and back.

Discover the stories of the men and women on the assembly lines who built over 55,000 of these magnificent engines, powering not only the Mustang but also variants of the Spitfire, Mosquito, and Lancaster. This is the untold story of how Detroit's automotive genius was harnessed to build a British thoroughbred, creating a weapon that was crucial to achieving air superiority and ultimate victory for the Allies.

General Characteristics (Packard V-1650-7 Merlin)

This was the definitive engine used in the P-51D Mustang.

Type: 12-cylinder, supercharged, liquid-cooled, 60° "Vee" piston aircraft engine

Displacement: 1,649 cu in (27 L)

Bore x Stroke: 5.4 in × 6.0 in (137.2 mm × 152.4 mm)

Supercharger: Two-speed, two-stage with aftercooler, license-built Rolls-Royce design

Power output (War Emergency): Up to 1,720 hp (1,280 kW) at 6,000 ft (1,800 m)

Compression Ratio: 6.0:1

Dry Weight: 1,690 lbs (767 kg)

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