Rolls-Royce Merlin alternative uses Rolls-Royce Merlin alternative uses The Rolls-Royce Merlin, although designed as an aero engine, was used in other applications both on land and at sea. A derivative called the Meteor was developed for use in tanks. Michael Wilcock of Sussex, England, built the "Swandean Spitfire Special", using a Merlin XXV engine acquired from a scrap yard for one hundred and forty pounds. The engine was installed in a home-brewed chassis confected from two Daimler Dingo scout car chassis. The car was run in the Brighton Speed Trials in 1953, and was sold to James Duffy of St. Louis, Missouri, in 1956.
Rolls-Royce Crecy fighter. Studies on the de Havilland Mosquito also showed it to raise complex problems with Crecy installation. In 1942 Rolls-Royce Hucknall received a North American P-51 Mustang for engine installation trials. This prompted a series of studies for a Crecy version and the Mustang turned out a more suitable mount than the Spitfire. However these studies were not taken further. As the possibility of a flight-worthy engine approached, on 28 March 1943 Hawker Henley "L3385" was delivered to Hucknall for fitting with a Crecy. However the engine never became available and the aircraft remained at Hucknall until when it was