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I fear Eric's information may be a bit incomplete.  While at Reno last
year I saw the front of a Rolls-Royce Merlin in the pit area, with the
gearbox off for work.  It uses straight cut spur gears, and my
recollection is that the Allisons also use straight cut spur gears.  I
believe that these have an excellent service history, the Merlins';
being used in long haul service as well as in the more highly publicized
Spitfires and Mustangs.

The problems associated with speed reduction on a turbine are a very
different kettle of fish from speed reduction problems arising with a
piston engine.  Not necessarily better or worse, or easier or harder,
but certainly different.  Transferring incomplete "know how" from one to
the other could cause a bit of difficulty if the engineer is not fully
informed.  While much could no doubt be gained by studying turbine
gearboxes, much more piston engine specific know how must also be
included in the design of a piston engine PRSU.

Also, it is worth noting that Jim Rahm won a previous year's, beating a
Hawker Sea Fury, and could well have won last year's race had he not
missed a turn along the way that cost him some time.

Incomplete knowledge can lead to incorrect conclusions.  We all need to
be careful we are operating with the full array facts before drawing an
important conclusion or making and important decision.

Fred Moreno

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