How does a two-stage supercharger like the one found in a Rolls-Royce Merlin work? Does the pilot have any control over it?
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Actually yes. A two stage supercharger used a compressor with two or more compression stages, often with an inter cooler between them, driven by a transmission with different gear ratios to control the compressor speed. A schematic of this type of supercharger can be seen here on a Rolls Royce Eagle engine.
On the Supermarine Spitfires powered by the larger Griffon engines the supercharger speed had both a LO and HIGH setting and could either be manually controlled by the pilot or automatically controlled. The HIGH setting was not recommended at lower altitudes to prevent overboosting during operations there.
answered May 29 '17 at 4:41