Submarine gearbox

[bmcecosse]

I hear talk on the news that the submarine that ran aground - HMS Asleep (or is it Astute?) has a Morris Minor gearbox - and this is being blamed for poor performance. Well - if it's the smooth case box - no wonder! Anyone know the details??

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Don't knock the smooth case box. It may be much maligned but at least it won't jump out of gear, which is just what you need when chasing a Russian sub.

[LouiseM]

It doesn't have a Minor gearbox but apparently has the wrong type of reactor fitted which has been described as "like hooking up a V8 engine to a Morris Minor gearbox" : http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/nov/1 ... nes-doomed

[sudburypaul]

Ah yes, I can see how the V8 would struggle to manage the MM gearbox and drivetrain - they did tend to over engineer them...

[bmcecosse]

Hahahahahahahahaha....... well indeed the smooth case box would never handle a V8 - not for long anyway......

[les]

That's the trouble with these custom subs, will mix and match!

[sudburypaul]

Is there a nuclear reactor small enough to fit into the Minor engine bay? I'm sure someone will now be busy working on this. Dunno what my local tip would say if I took my nuclear waste for dumping rather than the usual litres of old oil...

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Ford attempted a nuclear powered car in the atomic age of the 1950s but the project never got off the ground due to various safety fears, not least of what happens in a crash.

[bmcecosse]

No worries in the crash - the flask survived just fine....... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHtRZ_k0s7M So even if the Minor was bumped by a train, the reactor should be ok.

[smithskids]

Plenty of depleted uranium in the desert sands no doubt

[MarkyB]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/nov/1 ... eaky-rusty

Exclusive: Royal Navy's HMS Astute 'has a V8 engine with a Morris Minor gearbox'