[Tallguy]

Then, when those Rolls-Royces wound up, there was a throaty buzz all around...

I think you mean twin supercharged Allison engines.

Powerplant: 2× Allison V-1710-111/113 liquid-cooled turbosupercharged V-12, 1,600 hp (1,194 kW) each

...and that was for the P-38L. The Allison V-12 was probably the most widely used fighter engine throughout the war -- at least in the US Army Air Forces.

[Moose4]

True enough, but you have to admit, as good as those Allison V-1710s were...a P-38 with twin Merlins would be a very, very interesting airplane.

I’m an R-2800 Double Wasp guy, myself, but I do love P-38s.

}:-)4

[okie01]

You are, of course, correct. Allisons they were. They had a most distinct whine -- very authoritative.

I hesitated at the engine manufacturer...and guessed wrong.

[Truth Addict]

I think you mean twin supercharged Allison engines.

They may have looked something like this:

[cpdiii]

Then, when those Rolls-Royces wound up, there was a throaty buzz all around...”I think you mean twin supercharged Allison engines. “

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think Allison and perhaps Packard produced the Rolls Supermarine Engine in the United States under license.

[Vinnie]

Saw one at the Columbus Air Show in Sept. Wonderful.

The engines rotate in opposite directions to counteract torque.

The crews were instructed to prevent the superchargers from falling into Japanese hands by extreme measures if necessary.