Coff #310,
I agree, to a point, as a former employee on 6 AEF, the Gypsy Major was the biz. As a former Glider pilot, the supermunk had a lot of whizzbang for the pounds it cost for a launch. As an Airframe fitter, I always respected the airframe for the fact that it could be given such "oomph" and still not suffer the usual exertions of going beyond its designed limitations. Perhaps, even with the Lycoming it never exceeded design parameters, but it sure was a beast to get launched behind. I had an Aerotow at Syreston behind a standard Chippie some years before and know for a fact that 0 - 2000 ft was around twice as long. Horses for courses might be the answer, having worked on the real thing I know that the supermunk would never be an acceptable substitute, except when you need to get under a cumulus cloud in a rush !
Smudge
