I kind of wish they would have chosen a different name for the engines because when I hear Merlin engine, I think of Spitfires.
Well, these Merlins certainly do spit fire :biggrin: For those that don't get the original reference: the Spitfire was a British WWII fighter plane, that using a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine.
Way O/T, but I've been fortunate enough to see this thing flying (and watched it taxi & takeoff as a young Air cadet) This one has packards Merlins, but it was still a pretty memorable experience. http://www.warplane.com/vintage-aircraft-collection/aircraft-history.aspx?aircraftId=4 Only 10 days from the AsiaSat 6 launch now!
Veering off topic, but relevant for the last couple of posts. Multiple merlin engines for take off! PICTURES: Lancaster bombers fly in formation - 8/14/2014 - Flight Global
Done If this thread loses the original SpaceX connection, someone remind me to move it to Off-Topic, heh.
To stay on topic, I found this; http://www.spacesafetymagazine.com/aerospace-engineering/rocketry/merlin-engine-presented-spacex-vp-propulsion-tom-mueller/ but I could not find why they actually chose the name Merlin. I suspect it's an homage to the RR/packard versions of yesteryear. Back to Lancaster lore, there are only 2 flying examples in the world currently. YoungerStranger's link covers the tour that BOTH of them are doing together right now. However, there is one relatively close to me that I'm told is being restored to airworthiness. I'm just going to miss an opportunity to catch an engine running event as I travel the next day, but I am in that neck of the woods around once/month and may try to make a visit to the museum sometime soon! http://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/
