Hello from Sweden!

PeterL · Oct 29, 2024

I’m building a 1/4 scale Spitfire, Mick Reeves design.
I recon the plane will be ready in 9-12 months due to great deal of time spent in the stable as my daughter is an equestrian and competes in show jumping.

The reason why I’m joining this forum is a want to build a suitable engine to match my Spitfire, so what engine could be better and more suitable then the 1/4 scale Rolls-Royce Merlin…?!? Well, the question is really not a question is it.

So now I trying to gather as much information as possible about making parts for the engine engine as well as trying to obtain a set of casted engine parts as well as blueprints to start with.

Regarding the machinist part I’m somewhat of a beginner.
But then again…how hard can it be…?

Well, when I browse som of the treads about the Rolls-Royce Merlin, I would say pretty hard, but I don’t mind as I have time to learn.
Luckily my brother on the other hand is quit skillful, which will be of some help and benefit.

Kind regards
Peter from Sweden

GreenTwin · Oct 29, 2024

Welcome Peter, glad to have you here.
Almost anything can be achieved with the right amount of time and effort (in my opinion).

Sounds like a very interesting project.
Please keep us up to date with your progress.

Pat J.
.

piper184 · Oct 30, 2024

Welcome!
That Spitfire sounds like quite a build in itself. A 1/4 scale Merlin would be real challenge. There must be a zillion parts in one of those things!
Looking forward to following along on this one.

awake · Oct 31, 2024

Welcome!

Steamchick · Nov 1, 2024

Just a word from an amateur...
After a lifetime of "Hobby" machining, I am still learning EVERY day from the experts on this site. Quite a lot I will never use, but those with "Decades" of machining experience are really helpful and know what really works and why. I guess my amateur "Hours" hardly match their "Apprentice-time", never mind a lifetime of work. I don't think I know enough to make a Merlin...
And a lot of parts need to be made in jigs and fixtures that have to be really accurately made. When full sized parts were quite often finished to size with grinders to 1/10ths of a thousandth of an inch, the "hobby" workshop can't make to the same level of precision. - Which sometimes needs to be even better at small scale. - like precision watch making?
Perhaps you should plan to make a "Merlin-like" engine at the size you want, rather than a true scale model. E.G. Could it be normally aspirated rather than supercharged? Poppet valves instead of sleeve valves,? etc.

With the right configuration and number of cylinders it will still sound unlike the original, due to scale and wavelengths, etc. so "Who will know" when it is in the air?
Enjoy making your models!
We'll enjoy reading about your story of doing that.
Thanks,
K2

Peter Twissell · Nov 1, 2024

I would suggest honing your skills on something a little less complex (and less expensive to build!) before tackling the Merlin.
If you are confident, perhaps try building the Whittle V8. It's all made from bar stock, so no castings to buy.
If you are not so confident, perhaps try any of the bar stock single cylinder engines to get a feel for what is involved in making an engine that will run reliably and develop the power you need.