Warbird Information Exchange

Just read on a UK website..they Battle of Britain Memorial Flight has "paused" operations with its many Merlin powered aircraft after finding an unspecified issue.

So...what does that mean to Merlin-powered warbird operators?
If there is an issue, would Rolls Royce issue a service bulletin or would they FAA get involved with an AD or something similar?

Who is responsible for the engines nowadays?
I would imagine Rolls or has their statue of limitations (or whatever they legal term is) expired?

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

I would say Rolls along with all the major overhaul companies like Vintage V12,s ,Roush,BoBMF and others would be involved..

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If the CO ask,s you to be Tail End Charlie...Just Shoot Him..A Piece of Cake

BoBMF was also given permission by Rolls Royce to manufacture new Merlin heads for some of their aircraft. So it's also possible that the new heads have an issue.

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"They done it, they done it, damned if they ain't flew." December 17, 1903

They had a similar issue a few years ago and as I recall, it only affected the Merlins overhauled by the company that built/overhauled them for the BBMF.

The same company supplied/overhauled for private operators as well, but as I said, I'm pretty sure it was only the BBMF that was affected.
I guess more info on the issue will be forthcoming, and if it affects those in the privately operated Warbirds as well.

[EDIT]

Found this piece on the Key Aero site from September 2017 about the problem they had then: -

https://www.key.aero/article/bbmf-engin ... ems-traced

Cheers

Paul

Not sure what the current issue is, but Spitfire P7350 encountered engine issues while landing at Coningsby a couple of weeks ago and the investigation from this may have been what has decided to temporarily ground their Merlin engined aircraft for the time being.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pH63bUqRAw

Credit to Ted Coningsby for the vid on Youtube.

The last time I was at RetroTrack, near Bristol, they were doing the BBMF Merlins.
Is that still the case? I’m out of date — not throwing stones.

It's been announced today they're cleared to fly again, with apparently no mention of the problem.

I don't use social media so no further idea what it says.

https://www.facebook.com/BBMF.Official

For those who can't view the Facebook link...

The Lancaster was out and about on Saturday as it displayed at Middle Wallop.

Yesterday it flew a few miles to the south of me on its way to an appearance at Headcorn - if I'd been looking at ADSB a few moments earlier I'd have probably seen it, albeit somewhat distantly!

Saw the Lanc at Old Warden yesterday - came in after the show had finished at about 10 minutes to six for 3 flypasts.

Cheers

Paul