A fantastic large scale model of the famous Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, as fitted to the Spitfire Mk.1A.

This hand crafted replica of the Merlin III engine is mounted on a realistic representation of the Spitfire firewall bulkhead and mounting brackets. The model is built from resin, white metal, CNC milled and photo-etched parts and is complete with wiring, fue and oil lines and a miniature of the variable-pitch airscrew mechanism mounted on the output shaft.

Orders are being taken now for a proposed release date of December 2007. These models are supplied direct to you from Corgi. Production of 250 units, Pre-Ordering is Essential.

Rolls-Royce updated new engines to include the De-Havilland variable-pitch airscrews upon manufacture, designating this production change as Merlin III. Spitfires fitted with the Merlin III were designated Mk.1A.

The Merlin engine will forever be synonymous with the Supermarine Spitfire. An innovative and powerful engine, the Merlin is considered by many to be amongst the finest piston engines ever made. The Merlin's pressurised cooling system, using both water and glycol, was unique. Cleverly, the two-stage supercharger, powered by the crankshaft’s belts, pumped a mixture of fuel and oxygen into the cylinders in concentrations sufficient to increase the engine’s power.

Merlins powered both the Spitfire and Hurricane in 1940, the Spitfire being slightly faster than either Hawker's fighter or the German Me 109E, and went on to be used in numerous other British aircraft, such as the Avro Lancaster and De Havilland Mosquito. Experts consider the very best Allied fighter of World War 2 to have been the North American P-51 Mustang, but it is noteworthy that until fitted with a Merlin, the Mustang's performance was merely mediocre. It is also true to say that in 1940 the combination of the Merlin and Supermarine Spitfire was a winning one: without it the Battle of Britain's outcome could have been very different.

Replica Features

• 1/6 scale replica
• Extensively researched to ensure absolute authenticity
• Realistic Spitfire engine mount stand
• Hand crafted, polished wooden display base
• Complete with cut-down propeller and spinner
• Product name plate incorporated into the wooden base
• Polished wooden display base with tilting alloy stand
• Product name plate incorporated into the wooden base
• Available to order now
• Limited Edition, only 250 pieces being produced worldwide