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Q In the July issue, Clark Mikkelsen queried the use of only five external exhausts on six-cylinder Merlin engines on some Mosquitos. Peter Kirk provided an answer in the September edition, but David Swindell offers another reason.
A According to David, the ‘Siamesed’ exhausts on the Mosquito were not to prevent heat damage to the leading edge of the wooden wing, but to stop exhaust gases emitting directly into the radiators and oil coolers. David says, “All Australian-built FB40s and some early BIV Series IIs, PRIVs and FIIs, all with the single-stage Merlin 20 and 30 series engines, were fitted with six ejector-style exhausts on the outboard sides of the nacelles. Th ese operated without any damage to the wing leading edge, and exhaust staining on the nacelle sides clearly shows the hot gases flowed down and well below the wing.
“Early Mosquitos had a single exhau…
