The bits about Beatrice Shilling were interesting - a woman who started work in engineering in the 1930s when such a thing was rare - she rebuilt and raced motorbikes, worked in aircraft engineering all her life, and took no nonsense from anyone. However, there was a lot of stuff more generally about WW2 aircraft than was strictly related to her work, which I found a bit dull. Recommended for anyone interested in women in science and technology. ( )

An interesting insight in to the life and character of Beatrice Shilling, a woman who deserves more recognition than she has. She is known mostly to only a narrow field of vintage war-plane enthusiasts, and then only by reference to a device that was nick-named “Miss Shilling’s Orifice”. That device was a small restrictor in a Merlin engine carburettor that significantly reduced the instance of cutting-out experienced when the aircraft was put into a steep dive (negative g), usually during combat manoeuvres. Shilling’s solution was more effective than those put forward by engineers at Rolls Royce, and by her superiors at the Royal Aircraft Establishments, and was fitted to Merlins until a longer-term, more effective solution could be found. What is lesser known is that Shilling also developed the longer-term solution. She was a highly skilled engineer at a time (1930s) when women weren’t expected or encouraged to pursue such a career.

This fascinating look at her life gives an insight into her character, her relationship with her husband, and her love of engineering. Absolutely fascinating. This woman should be more well-known ( )