Well....
I certainly do understand where you are
coming from, Bud!
But we were doing the best we could back
then, with what was that period's state of the art. We didn't know any
better 'cause
there was no "better" at that point in time!
Then came radials, alternators, Rain-X,
etc., etc. :)
You know....this goes on with refurbishing
WW1 aircraft as well. Using the rotary
engine as an example....this was state
of the art back in 1917. We ALL love their
sound and the smell of Castor Oil but
insurance companies hate 'em...to the
tune of major premium increases if they'll
insure aircraft powered with them at all.
Later, came the radial. Far more
reliable and dependable, much less prone
to failure, most especially should you get
the air/fuel mix slightly off in the rotary.....
it stops!! Just absolutely suddenly quits
and isn't the easiest of engines to get
started again...you better have some
altitude (time!!) 'cause you're going to
have to play with the air/fuel mix to get
it "right" for a successful restart.
This was perfectly acceptable "back when" when Camels, Snipes and
Fokker Triplanes were a dime a dozen
cheap and the rotary was state of the art.
But I know what you mean and part of
me empathizes hugely, believe me....
I remember those trips as well along
with the availablity of "real man" leaded
100RON+ leaded at about 50 cents
a gallon and 9.0-10.0-1 "stock" MGA's!! :)
("Hey...watcha' got in there?" after winning autocross. "Oh...stock
1500.
Why do you ask?")
Cap'n. Bob
'60 :{)
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