The "best fighter engine in the world"

[Deleted member 68059]

I do not believe it is possible to make any serious comparison with Russian engine lifespan and others, the conditions there were totally different - in both terms of the mechanics, their facilities and the general conditions (usually a sandy dusty airfield with almost no proper tools).

A good example of this is Rolls-Royce internal reports on the use of Merlin engines sent over to repair "russian" Hurricanes. A Merlin which had passed type test in England, would be finished in 40hours in Russia, the collossal amounts of fine grit/sand in the airfields there was the main factor discussed in the reports at the time, second was the somewhat basic methods the Russian mechanics had to use, which was not due to stupidity, just total lack of tools, facilities, proper spare parts and training.

Anything being run in Russia in WW2 can perhaps - be best compared to how our engines ended up in Africa service.

 

[jetcal1]

I do not believe it is possible to make any serious comparison with Russian engine lifespan and others, the conditions there were totally different - in both terms of the mechanics, their facilities and the general conditions (usually a sandy dusty airfield with almost no proper tools).

A good example of this is Rolls-Royce internal reports on the use of Merlin engines sent over to repair "russian" Hurricanes. A Merlin which had passed type test in England, would be finished in 40hours in Russia, the collossal amounts of fine grit/sand in the airfields there was the main factor discussed in the reports at the time, second was the somewhat basic methods the Russian mechanics had to use, which was not due to stupidity, just total lack of tools, facilities, proper spare parts and training.

Anything being run in Russia in WW2 can perhaps - be best compared to how our engines ended up in Africa service.

The book Attack of the Airacobras: Soviet Aces, American P-39s, and the Air War Against Germany (January 31, 2002) by Dmitriy Loza (Author), James F. Gebhardt (Translator) pretty much confirms many of your thoughts about the Russian experience. The Russians found that they needed Bell tech reps onsite and a bunch of training. (Although the author states that it took official diplomatic complaints to get Bell to clean up its act.)

 

[Reluctant Poster]

From the latest Reno air races, it looks like the good old Wasp Major would have been the best and fast as well in the correct airframe.

After literally decades of dominance by Merlins, one win by The R4360 doesn't elevate it to all time best.
For the record the only reason Dreadnought won is that Strega and Voodoo (who between them have won every race since 2008) did not race this year.
Dreadnought's winning speed was by far the lowest since at least 1990. In fact last year Dreadnought was LAPPED by both Strega and Voodoo. At no time in its history has Dreadnought ever come close to the speeds recorded by Strega, Voodoo, Rare Bear, Czech Mate or Dago Red.