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Available now is a museum-grade, authentic October 1, 1943 WWII Service Instructions Manual for the V-1650-3, Merlin 68, and Merlin 69 Aircraft Engines.
This is not a modern reproduction or a generic military print; it is an original, restricted-tier technical document from the height of the World War II effort. Most importantly, it is housed in its original, official North American Aviation, Inc. Los Angeles Division heavy-duty multi-ring binder, complete with the classic factory wings logo and the "International Airport, Los Angeles 9, California" address debossed on the front cover.
As the primary powerplant series that transformed the P-51 Mustang into the definitive fighter of the European theater, this manual represents the direct engineering link between the Southern California airframe factory and the legendary Packard-built Merlin engine.
๐ Technical Specifications & Search Terms
Document Type: Official USAAF Technical Order / Service Instructions
Technical Order Numbers: T.O. No. 02-55AC-2 / A.P. No. 2616C
Publication Date: October 1, 1943 (Motschall Co., Detroit)
Engine Applications: Packard Merlin V-1650-3, Merlin 68, Merlin 69 (V-12 Liquid-Cooled)
Aircraft Application: P-51B / P-51C Mustang fighters
Binder: Authentic, period-correct North American Aviation Inc. factory-issued binder (Los Angeles Division)
Contents: Richly illustrated with high-fidelity technical foldouts, full-page engine silhouettes, schematics, carburetor sections, and comprehensive maintenance/overhaul protocols.
๐ Condition Report
This manual is in Excellent Vintage Condition. The highly desirable embossed NAA factory binder is structurally sound, clean, and holds the internal mechanics perfectly.
Internally, the pages are crisp, secure, and entirely legible. It shows beautifully preserved vintage character, with light, natural age-toning to the paper edges and minor handling marks on the title page. It is remarkably clean compared to standard "greasy garage" copies.
Provenance Note: The top of the title page features neat, period handwritten ownership markings from an aerospace worker or military personnel: โWilliam Goff, 186-021, EXT-1139โ, adding a fantastic layer of authentic WWII-era human history to the piece.
