The Rolls-Royce Mustang Mk.X was an experimental conversion of the North American Mustang I in which Rolls-Royce replaced the Allison engine with a Merlin 65, to cure the Mustang's weak performance above about 15,000 feet. Pilot Ronald Harker of Rolls-Royce flew a Mustang in April 1942 and urged the swap; five aircraft were converted at Hucknall from June 1942, and the first Merlin-powered flight was on 13 October 1942. The best test aircraft reached 433 mph at 22,000 feet. The trials led to the Packard-built Merlin in the North American P-51B and P-51C, and a later Griffon-engined proposal was cancelled in 1945.
Facts
Top Speed (km/h) Comparison
Body StyleAircraft (no road body style) 1 Connections
Exemplifies
Source Rolls-Royce Mustang Mk.X (Wikipedia)
Of Make
Source Rolls-Royce Mustang Mk.X (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Rolls-Royce Mustang Mk.X (Wikipedia)
Testing
On 13 October 1942, AL975/G was flown for the first time with a Merlin engine on 13 October 1942 by Rolls-Royce's Chief Test Pilot Ronald Shepherd.
Lead
The aircraft were tested by the British and then by the US Army Air Forces.
Design and development
The first converted, AL975, was given a Merlin 65 (instead of the high-altitude Merlin 61 suggested) and a four-bladed Rotol propeller.
Lead, units built
Rolls Royce took up a recommendation that the Mustang be tested with a Merlin engine and five aircraft were converted.
Testing, top speed
the Mustang X serial AM208 reaching 433 mph (697 km/h) at 22,000 ft (6,700 m)
Design and development, manufacturer
Rolls-Royce began the conversions of four Mustangs (RAF serials AM203, AM208, AL963 and AL975) designated Mustang Xs at Hucknall in June 1942.
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