The following is in no way an expression of held, or not, political beliefs of P.Blaabjerg Ingeniør Service. Nor is it an expression P.Blaabjerg Ingeniør Service attitude towards human life and well being of stakeholders engaging with mechanical designs.

It is just a historic example of very good engineering, according to specifications set up by conditions, and the guidelines of society that are no more.

What is good Engineering?

In 1976 a Soviet pilot defected flying his Mig-25 fighter jet to a Japanese airport. As-well as a media victory it was a glimpse into Soviet military technology, even if it was by that time on way out of production.

The findings where surprising to analysts, and on the surface not very impressive. However for the purpose and attitude of Soviet military it was nothing short of a stroke of genius.

Findings where:

• The plane was brand new, but already attacked by corrosion on the inside.

• It was primarily built by Nickel Steel, not Titanium.

• The Nickel Steel was in many places hand welded. -This is by western aircraft standards considered not safe, and a “no can do”.

• Avionics was vacuum tube, not transistor technology.

• Subsonic fuel consumption was atrocious

Not strong sales arguments, however closer consideration apparent shortcomings reveals the true nature of the beast;

• Soviet designers where operating with a max service life of 1500 hours; a warplane is not going to corrode out of service, so no need to paint on the inside.

• Nickel Steel is heavy, it corrodes, but very cheap and easy to manufacture.

• Nickel Steel can be welded and therefore low cost structure results.

• Vacuum tubes are not heat sensitive, so no air-conditioning needed.

• Vacuum tubes can function after being in vicinity of nuclear blast. Transistors can not.

• Subsonic fuel consumption is not relevant in war conditions. In peace time soviet citizens where not in a position to complain about supersonic booms.

• General fuel consumption is not relevant in war conditions between NATO and Warsaw Pact, as primary theater would be the short distances over western Europe. Furthermore ability to get back to base might not have been a high priority.

The sheer performance despite the, at first glance, primitive design speaks for itself;

• 29 world records for speed, climb etc. Allegedly 7 of these records still stand.

• It doesn't mater to much that one drops out of the sky on occasion, if you are able to build three times as many as of “higher quality” design.

Why this example?

P.Blaabjerg Ingeniør Services aims to pursue the, for the customer, optimum technical solution. We are only concerned with technical aspects. -Which of-course also includes present and future legislation, but not any other concerns.

Our applied code of conduct is best described in the Engineers’ Creed. It is American, so for European engineer with out the spiritual last line.

We will always inform of any moral, ethical or aesthetic considerations we might have when appropriate, but not consider it part of the service provided, and also not consider it our responsibility.