Luftwaffe copy the Merlin

[Tapper]

Hi Graham,

The Germans were experts at starting up and moving production lines so I can't see this as being the main reason. Interesting on the exotic materials in the supercharger though, the Germans had no access at all?
As for taking 5 years to develop the TU-4 from the B29 this was only started in earnest once the cold war began and the Russians found themselves needing a quick fix.
The Merlin was something that production could have been started. And I would guess, not that difficult in mating to the 109, just as the British did with the then average Mustang, to turn it into possibly the best offensive fighter of WW2.

I just dont understand the logic of not directly copying when you are fighting for survival. Im my eyes the hard work of initial development and design have been done