TOAD TALE PART 4B
With only 3 days before he was due to take up his new position at the school, Toad and the Flight gazed ruefully at the smoking remains of his roadsters engine.

"I know it was hard for you to find an adequate Hispano-Suiza engine, when the RFC could hardly get one." said the Flight in commiseration.

"Its like that saying 'when she was good she was very good'.." said Toad sadly

Engine failures were common even by the low standards of the day.. The RFC could not afford to sacrifice power in scout aircraft and so were attempting to maximize the power of the engine at the same time as they were learning how to manufacture them in the first place.

Broken crankshafts, compression leaks, failed bearings, ill-sized or ill-fitting cylinder sleeves, and warped valve stems were continual problems. A never-ending headache for the mechanics and a continual threat to the pilots.

"However I can save the day. I just happen to have a prototype Bentley 3.0 Litre straight-4 engine designed by RFC engineer Clive Gallop. You remember him from Brooklands?"

"Oh yes, old Pony!"

"It is very technically advanced. It was one of the first production car engines with 4 valves per cylinder."

"You mean the four valve SOHC Hemi design, with a bevel-geared shaft drive for the camshaft? How the hell did you get your hands on that!" said Toad in surprise.

"Friends in high places" remarked the Flight enigmatically with a wide grin.