Engine reliability in the flying-boat comparison

Four-engine redundancy is offered as a reason to prefer the H8K, while the competing preference gives more weight to individual engine reliability. The disagreement remains unresolved because the Japanese engines receive sharply different assessments. The Sunderland is another preferred choice, and the BV 138 is defended for its suitability to its role and three engines judged more dependable. Its shorter flights also appeal to the person making that comparison. The Walrus belongs to a different category: a spotting aircraft that could carry a few depth charges, with much less endurance for this work.