How One Engineer’s ‘Rejected’ Engine Design Saved the Mustang From Being a Failure

n 1940, the British Air Ministry asked Rolls-Royce to develop a turbocharged Merlin engine for high-altitude combat. Stanley Hooker, a mathematician-turned-engineer, said no—and designed something better instead.

His "rejected" two-stage supercharger solution would transform the P-51 Mustang from a mediocre medium-altitude fighter into the legendary long-range escort that helped win the air war over Europe.
This is the untold story of the engineer who saved the Mustang by refusing to follow orders.
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