Hi again Jane-Doh. Self starting meaning (at least to my non-aerodynamicist avionics infected brain) that the shock system will establish itself perfectly without specific movement of the variable surfaces. Similarly it will not experience the phenomonem (unstart) where the whole shock system will be violently expellled to the extent that it can not tbe safely re-established without changing both the engine power setting and the variable surface position. (This whole thing being the 'train wreck' phenomen
).
That was interesting stuff about the P38, I must admit I'd not heard that one. (Makes sense I suppose though, provided that the engine can be easily be re-positioned in such a way).