Worse, it was shown that enlarging the ecape hatch diameter just a few inches
would mean a lot more air crew could get out of damaged aircraft. But that
was
nixed because that would have slowed down the production.

Sounds about right.

The crews were
expendable.

Most crews had only a short time together, before they were interred together.
My heart goes out to the men of Bomber Command, Torpedo 8, and all airmen in
similar positions. "Fly till ya die" and all that.

v/r
Gordon
====(A+C====
USN SAR

Its always better to lose -an- engine, not -the- engine.