T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 25

o.f. the standard marine plug. Perfect for slow work, but burnt at full throttle after 10 minutes. So now she has a set of K.L.G. 17's, the Napier Lion Plug. I like them better than the Champions, so far. They are less liable to damage in fitting, and are easier cleaned and replaced. Spares seem a difficulty. We have nothing for her, and can get nothing. The day she arrived I gave Stores a list of "first-line" stores we should hold for her, and asked for a cradle, without success. We have a gasket on demand from Kidbrooke for 5 weeks. I got one privately, else she would have been U/S all this time. As soon as the rudder comes, we are to tow the speed target, and some aircraft by Coastal Area request. I hope you can get Kidbrooke to keep Power spares as soon as possible. As you know, I should like a spare engine per station ! The old fashioned sailors still look sidew... at her. Nothing but performance will convince them of her superiority for aircraft work. That makes me all the more eager to keep her running. Up to date we have trained two corswains to handle her, both successes. They swear by her. The other will do the same, when they have had their turn. I am staying on board with each, for his first six or seven hours giving hints. I hear from the Power Co. that the new engine may