Choosing the Cyclone resembled staying with the proven Bristol Pegasus used in the Fairey Swordfish instead of adopting the newer Bristol Taurus chosen for the Fairey Albacore. A higher-rated Pegasus had been an alternative for the Albacore. Continued investment eventually made the Taurus more dependable, albeit near the point when it was being replaced. The Cyclone, meanwhile, had a large and satisfied bomber market that valued reliable engines in multiples. That success reduced the pressure to fund the fighter-specific improvements a single-engine Buffalo needed. A sound low-risk procurement choice could therefore become a development disadvantage when its main customers had different priorities.
Notable Point · 18:22-19:22
A safe engine choice still needed fighter-focused development
The Pegasus-Taurus comparison separates a rational low-risk purchase from the later investment needed to keep an engine competitive in fighters.