topendtorque, thanks - I get what you are saying, Caterpillar products are top notch, like Snap-on tools.
So how does this relate to heli gearboxes? Are you saying there are cheap ones and quality ones? I thought aviation laws meant they all had to be top quality?
Interesting to learn that they are made from magnesium, the casing I mean. I guess if they had been steel they would get too hot.
Doesn't magnesium react with salt water though? If a heli ditches will the gearbox have to be completely replaced or just overhauled. How do you check for cracks and stress in a magnesium casing? Can you x-ray it?