Rolls Royce Merlin "Black Beauty"

One of two drums made from a 1944 Rolls Royce Merlin XX V12 engine, this snare drum was re-cast from the crankcase. The Merlin was supposedly the engine that won the “Battle of Britain” and potentially WW2. The Merlin XX was first produced in 1944 and was fitted with a two speed supercharger. It was fitted to the Mosquito, Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster, Halifax, and Bristol Beaufighter. This one has a gloss 'Black Beauty' finish applied after construction and is owned by Cherisse Osei of Simple Minds.