Warbird Information Exchange

COOL! bomber 620's! Lets go boat racing-

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

G'Day Inspector,

Lincolns in Oz had a mix of Merlin 85's and 102's. IIRC the 102's were fitted to the inboard positions and 85's to the outboard. Merlin 102's were licence built by CAC in Australia at Lidcombe, New South Wales. Definitely no 600 series. Bob Eastgate's Mustang, that had the unfortunate wheels up at Point Cook last year, flew with a Merlin 85 crankcase and cylinder banks for many years. I think some of the Lincoln engines did end up in boats here though. I do know one team blew up 16 Merlins including one brand new 66. Would make you weep if you saw the results.

The Mighty Auster

My old friend who helps me with my Merlin bought all 4 lincoln merlins for 12 pounds. The lincoln was used for fire training at Bankstown airport. I have some shots taken on the day when he pulled the motors from the plane. All the motors ended up in boats. Two he used and two he sold to Mira Slovak in the US.
My friend served with the RAAF in Borneo, Darwin during the raids (he was in the trench with Tyndall when he died) and England as an engineer and gunner in Lancasters 426 squadron. Of over 120 missions he survived over 60 bombing missions over Germany. He is credited with 1 and a half ME 262 kills. After the war he flew runs into Germany helping repatriate the Germans.
He has continued working on merlins under his house ever since.
The stories he tells are mind blowing. He is currently rebuilding a Merlin 25 for a flying Mosquito restoration in Narromine NSW.
The sad part is apart from a few geeks like me no one knows he exists. I cant imagine he will be around much longer.

That guy was probably Jerry Zuvich when he was Crew Chief on the U-2 SQUIRE SHOP boat. Jerry liked to 'experiment' and behind the shop was littered with V5 and V9 MERLIN blocks and associated chunks.

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

I'd like to see the the photo's of all of which you speak.
Regards Croweater

Hi Croweater. If you email me I can forward the pics on to you. I have no idea how to post pics. I have enought trouble just using the web. I will have to photograph the pics of the merlins being pulled off the Lincoln as I dont have a scanner and then get my wife to send them to you. You can post them if you like. davehotboats@hotmail.com
I picked up two Hall Scott V12 Defender marine engines today. One runs. They are huge. Cant wait to fire it up.
Where are you located in Aus? Dave

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