[Jukka Juutinen]

Graham, don´t get me wrong but for an aircraft engineer to miss the pressurized carburettor is unacceptable! However, cheriz´s claim is also pure BS. The device in question is of course the ubiquitous Bendix-Stromberg pressure density carburettor, a single point injector in fact. However, the SU (Skinner´s Union) anti-G carb worked very much OK in the 60 srs Merlins. There is basically very little to choose between the performance of SU and Bendix carburetted engines.

The SU also developed a single point "speed density" single point injection system with a 5-plunger swash plate pump (used e.g. in the Mk 130). The RR developed this further using gear type pump. This was used in later Griffons.

Of course, German direct injection systems were the best fuel systems there was (don´t fall into simplistic Stanley Hooker inspired claims).

As an aside about gaps in trained personnel knowledge. Last Fridai I had a chat with a retired FinnAF Lieutenant. His job was to teach future AF mechanics on the secrets on aircraft engines. Some weeks ago he had atttented some event at his former base and had had a chat with a young cadet officer who had already had several years of mechanic training behind and even worked as a mechanic with the border guard. The pal of mine had asked this guy a couple of basic questions. The answers had been pretty frightening. That trained mech did not know:
-what is the purpose of the boost cauge in the Vinka´s (piston engine trainer) cockpit
-what is equivalent horsepower in turborops (he had no idea about turboprops´ exhaust thrust)
-that a jet engine produces more thrust in cold weather than in hot weather
-and that the jet engine thrust diminishes with altitude

As I heard this over the phone, I was pretty shocked at what kind of morons they pass thru the exams.