This is what Air India flight 182 was carrying when it was destroyed in 1985.

This is what Air India flight 182 was carrying when it was destroyed in 1985.

all the classic were able to carry another 5th engine, on the -400 i didnt remember why but only the rr ones had that option.

This option is only available on RR powered 747s. There was an Airways Magazine article about the Qantas 5th engine ferry and the article mentioned that the option is not available on PW or GE engines due to reduced ground clearance because of the larger fan size over the RR.

 

If a GE or PW engine needed to be replaced, it was either shipped with the core and fan disassembled on a freighter or an Antonov :-p

Easier to stuff it on a revenue flight than coordinate shipping it via other means. Broken plane at a destination you serve? Send it on a revenue flight under the wing.

 

 

Did "Joe" factor this into the wing design - reinforcement plate and carriers, etc ?

 

Interesting drag for the pilots to deal with too.

Did "Joe" factor this into the wing design - reinforcement plate and carriers, etc ?

 

Interesting drag for the pilots to deal with too.

 

Kinda? It's a legacy carryover from the early jet age. 707 engines died so frequently that it was deemed necessary. The convenience carried on over time, but reliability continued to increase so most people started forgoing the option.

Kinda? It's a legacy carryover from the early jet age. 707 engines died so frequently that it was deemed necessary. The convenience carried on over time, but reliability continued to increase so most people started forgoing the option.

does it mean RR engines on the -400 less reliable than PW or GE? lol ...

This option is only available on RR powered 747s. There was an Airways Magazine article about the Qantas 5th engine ferry and the article mentioned that the option is not available on PW or GE engines due to reduced ground clearance because of the larger fan size over the RR.

 

If a GE or PW engine needed to be replaced, it was either shipped with the core and fan disassembled on a freighter or an Antonov :-p

make sens the pw engines needed to be stripped a little to be flown away on cargo 747 ...

 

 

does it mean RR engines on the -400 less reliable than PW or GE? lol ...

 

I don't think so. I think it was just one carrier that opted for it, who happened to fly RRs. Keep in mind that the original option was offered on the 707, which was all (early jet technology) Pratts shredding themselves.

I don't think so. I think it was just one carrier that opted for it, who happened to fly RRs. Keep in mind that the original option was offered on the 707, which was all (early jet technology) Pratts shredding themselves.

i ve seen at least two different operators having that options for the -400: one for the pax version one for the freighter version.

i ve seen at least two different operators having that options for the -400: one for the pax version one for the freighter version.

 

Who was the F operator? Was it an actual F, or was it a BCF/BDSF?

Who was the F operator? Was it an actual F, or was it a BCF/BDSF?

Pm sent.

SAA and Qantas were the only two passenger operators that ordered the 5th pod option from factory, from what I have read. There may be -F operators, or operators who converted a former SAA or QF bird to a BCF/BDSF

SAA and Qantas were the only two passenger operators that ordered the 5th pod option from factory, from what I have read. There may be -F operators, or operators who converted a former SAA or QF bird to a BCF/BDSF

there is at least one freighter operator with RR engine that had the option ordered and fitted on. doesnt mean they ever used it ....

Ironically enough I know someone at cargologic, they carried an engine cowling today from frankfurt to Copenhagen. The loadmaster just Walked on with it from the stores as it was very light. Even more ironic it was for an aog lufty aircraft stuff in Copenhagen and lufty didn't have a spare aircraft to take the part. So they chartered a huge jumbo from CLA to carry a cowling!! They must have money to burn!!

there is at least one freighter operator with RR engine that had the option ordered and fitted on. doesnt mean they ever used it ....

Thats why I was careful to say 'passenger operator'; in my first statement.. i guess the cargo operator is cargolux. they are the only one with an extensive RR fleet. Could an assembled RB211 fit on a 744F through either door?

I once flew on a 747 with the fifth engine attached. If I recall correctly, it was British Airways to Singapore. I wasn't aware it was possible until I took my seat and looked out the window at Heathrow.