Rolls-Royce Merlin Spitfire vs Rolls-Royce Griffon Spitfire ' Which Sounds the Best? '

The Merlin engine has a sweet engine note very iconic, the Griffon engine really sounds of awesome power.

[kneewall]

I’m for the Merlin, sounds like the true Spit for me.

[anomalyp]

Merlin: reassuring sound, workhorse power.
Griffon: Agressive sound, wasp like.

[thephantomflanflinger]

The merlin purrs, the griffon howls. But i dont care, they are both spitfires!. Both are beautiful! . Nuff said!.

[nigellangridge]

Two symphonies that never fail to bring the tears and the goosebumps.

[losonsrenoster]

During the battle of Britain the Merlin must have been the most welcome sound of all. It must have been the sound of fighting back, the sound connected to the fighting spirit, the sound of Britain's finest hour, many hopes must have been pinned on it, my vote goes to Merlin. The sound of the Griffon signified domination and power later in the war.

[TheBarnem]

Merlin no wait Griffon but then on the other hand Merlin no hang on Griffon Oh Hell I can't choose it's like asking who's your favourite child!

[matthewvwuk]

Both Rolls-Royce engines sound good but the Griffon engine does have that deep meaty exhaust note to it & is easily recognisable and the Merlin has that unique growl to it & sounds just as good & to be honest & fair I love them both, the best of British engineering & makes you feel proud to be British whenever you hear them too!

[TheCannonofMohammed]

I don't have a horse in this race but to me, the Merlin sounds more iconic.

[MrRugbylane]

The Griffin sounds like my wife and the merlin sounds like my mistress

[des-ex-diver]

Both a pleasure but the Griffon has the edge i think. In 1985 i was on deck of my DSV. Berthed in Dover docks. I heard the unmistakable sound and instinctively looked to the skies. Saw 2x spits going over the white cliffs of dover. The sound/setting and the morning sun was perfection. The feeling of pride was emotional. It put me on a high all day. And i'm a Maltese so when you all go on about English men.. think about other theatres of war. Those aircraft meant the islands survival against the AXIS powers.. pure and simple.

[GB-jkvt]

The Merlin sounds of victory! The Griffon sounds of raw power.

[thmonkey]

Ah, the Spitfire, seen here in it's native environment.

[simonhewitt]

I heard a commentator at Duxfords 'Flying Legends' Airshow a few years back say that RAF mechanics had a saying "If a Merlin sounds rough then something is wrong and if a Griffon doesn't sound rough then something is wrong" 😃👍

[Joseph_yy]

“Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, sweetest sound you could hear out here.”

[samb]

When I was a small boy from 59 to 61 a boat named Miss Supertest participated in first speed trials then the Harmsworth races on the Bay of Quinte in front of my Great Grandfather's farm. She was powered by a Griffon engine. That sound still raises the hair on the back of my neck. Even just a video like this puts a thrill through
my body the same as it did when I was 5 or 6.

[MrGoblin]

The first time I heard one of these (I'm assuming that it was a Merlin) was once when I was riding my bike along a road at the bottom of a wide valley. I thought that a large truck was coming up from behind me but when I looked up there was a Spitfire at less than 500 feet zooming directly overhead! That throaty rumbling deep growl got me; truly unforgettable. The airport was only about 5 or 6 km away so I guess he was on his approach. Anyway, this was more than 35 years ago and I wasn't sure whether it was a Spit or a Hurricane but the sound was awesome.

[barnabyg]

Love them both. I think if I were a troop on the ground, I would prefer to hear the griffon, sounds more meaty, but the merlin has a lovely growl on it :)

[ggj]

First time I remember hearing that Merlin engine I would have been about 6 years old standing with my Grandad at an air display, I will always love that sound, and to this day 45 years later it still makes the hairs on my neck stand up when I get to hear it for real. And it will always will remind me of my Grandad .

[johneland]

I've flown both Merlin & Griffin spitfires, both unique, both unforgettable, both sound wonderful.

[SaltyPirate]

Both sound amazing. But, when you hear that Rolls Merlin you immediately have visions of Betty Grable's legs and hear big band music and can almost smell Churchill's cigar.