i forgot where i read it but. i read about a merlin XX powered lightning 5,000+ climb rate and 460 straight n level flight at alt. out climbed out ran and out ranged any american fighter. 2 were built 1 compressed the other was scrapped when they were told NO you cant make it.
I dont know how true that was tho
Total unmitigated B.S. The Merlin will not fit the P-38 without a complete rework of the airframe. It adds over 1500 pounds, the climb rate and combat radius are both reduced. Lockheed did a complete engineering study, and the conversion never left the paper it was written and drawn on.
The Allison is a lighter engine, slightly more compact in most dimensions as well. Not only that, it is a stronger engine. The only thing that made the Merlin more powerful was a two speed supercharger compared to the single speed supercharger on the Allison.
Most people do not know that no Packard or Rolls Royce Merlin engine was competitive and finished the unlimited races at Reno until one engine builder figured out how to modify the Merlin oiling system and put the connecting rods from an Allison V-1710 in it. Merlins pushed hard enough to run up front simply blew up before the race was over.
The G series Allison V-1710 is far superior to the Merlin. It would have fit in the P-38 and eliminated the need for the turbocharger (it was later used in the P-82 Twin Mustang), but if the turbocharger was retained, it could have maintained sea level horsepower to over 35,000 feet.
