He insisted it should take an exceptional set of circumstances for a
superior pilot to have to increase throttle once past the numbers.
Steady settings, or reductions, were OK.

I learned to fly in the 50's in a Champ. Power was pulled passing the
numbers. On base a quick blip to "clear" the engine
and turn on final with out adding any power. Slipping was OK adding power
got a butt chewing. If the clearing blip on base was a bit too long then
another butt chewing.

Shock cooling was never mentioned I don't know if it was heard of in the
50's.

Cheers:

Paul
N1431A
KPLU