Don't forget, you can convert a Victa four stroke model to take a PT, so that it's another chassis source to mitigate the PT glut.
FC's had generally better chassis and even the steel base was slightly better than these horrid PT steel bases.
FCs in turn were let down by fragile thumb latch catchers and physical wear of the softer alloy chassis as well as cracking and even holes getting punched through in treacherous mowing environments.
It's a constant battle on multiple fronts.
Of course, people giving up and throwing out their easily repairable two stroke because of a minor problem like a bad LM needle or worn throttle controller or other sundry item only to turn Rio a Chinese junk because it's 'easier' doesn't help.
