The (collective) history of the 3-leading commercial (Jet) Engine makers of the world, symbolized (PW/RR/GE), is quite fascinating, each of the trio, while in (perpetual) competition with each other, have had the most distinguished records of achievements, of their own, shaping the history of aircraft and aviation...constantly trying to outdo each other for the bragging rights...to this very day...while trying to woo the world's two largest aircraft manufactures...🙂... 

This post reflects bits of study into Rolls-Royce and one of its most (famous) Jet engines, the "RB211", one, that has always fascinated me...and was, in fact, the subject of a remark by Jack S., here...🙂...in one of my recent posts..."The RB211 is a very complicated triple spool engine which is fascinating in and of itself"...Indeed it sounds so, to this layman...! Now, as we know, Rolls-Royce has the singular tradition of naming their engines after the rivers of England, but here is the most notable departure from that tradition. The "RB211" is nameless so to speak, but one of the most significant innovations in the entire history of Rolls-Royce! The "RB211" would go on to power the likes of iconic airplanes such as the Boeing 747, 757, 767 and the Lockheed L-1011 Tristar, but all without a name, I mean, without a river's name to its credit...but not for long though. In 1989, the RB211 (-524L) would be eventually renamed after the (English) River Trent, first powering the A330s and B777s, and then evolve to power the most advanced Airbus Twinjets of today (Airbus A350 XWB). 

Here is a little-known but significant fact that is worthy of note but may have escaped the attention of aviation enthusiasts who are not natives of the Island of Great Britain...🙂... (me included...). The same RB211, that, in 1971, would initially precipitate Rolls-Royce to insolvency, state of bankruptcy, and to the brink of financial collapse, would then, under the (inspiring) leadership of a Mathematician-cum-Engineer, (Sir) Stanley Hooker, cause a dramatic turn-around, for the company, during the most vulnerable moments of its history, and help preserve its future existence...! In 1972, Lockheed Tristar L-1011 would enter service (with Eastern) fitted with (Hooker re-designed) RB211 engines, the only engine type available for that Trijet, and 2 years later, in 1974, Hooker would be knighted for his role in saving Rolls-Royce, and also for his contributions to aero-engine design! Referring to a quip that was made about his qualifications (Hooker been a mathematician by training) during his job interview at Rolls-Royce, he would title his autobiography "Not Much of an Engineer". In a brave struggle against disease, and in a remarkable twist of events, determined to finish his autobiography, Hooker would pass away on the same day that his autobiography was published...

The RB211 was the first production (advanced) three-spool engine, and this (design) choice played a vital role in turning Rolls-Royce from a significant player in the aero-engine industry into a global leader, that it's today. For example, the launch customers of Boeing 757 (the subject a/c of this post), Eastern Air Lines and British Airways, selected the (Rolls-Royce) RB211-535C for their 757s. Eastern Air Lines operated the first commercial 757 flight on January 1, 1983, and a month later, on February 9, 1983, British Airways began using the aircraft for London-to-Belfast shuttle services. British Airways loved the RB211-equipped 757s so much that it would operate 61 examples for 27 years before retiring the type in November 2010. B757-200 (G-BMRJ), seen below, was delivered factory-fresh to British Airways, in 1989. After serving faithfully for 13 years as a pax transporter, it was converted to the (-200F) variant. And I was glad to know today that it's still alive and doing well, after ~34 years of active life, with 21 more years of operation as a Freighter, on its résumé, flying currently for DHL. In fact, coincidentally, while creating this post, a quick (FlightAware) inquiry revealed that DHL (G-BMRJ) completed a flight just today, on November 22, Tuesday, departing East Midlands Airport (EGNX) at 05:19AM GMT, on a short 43 mins (245 mi) trip, to Edinburgh Airport (EGPH), landing there on-time, at 06:02AM GMT. 

So, please find below my BA 757-200 (G-BMRJ), too, flying symbolically on the same route, on a complete (virtual) flight, from East Midlands to Edinburgh, in the (special) color of British Airways 'England' ("Grand Union - British Airways Utopia) livery. And, of course, the engines you see on it are the famous "RB211"... (-535E variant) ...

Hope you enjoy this collection of pictures of the classic and unique niche-player that the 757 was...powered by an equally unique Rolls-Royce engine that the RB211 was...!

If you're interested, please view this video clip, of the same (G-BMRJ) 757-200, but RW version of the one seen below, in the DHL color, performing impressively at RIAT, RAF Fairford, air show..."Low and slow"..."Low and fast"... (Please search for "*Rare* DHL Air Boeing 757-200F G-BMRJ Low, Slow and Fast Flypasts @ RIAT Fairford 2012").

Thanks for your interest...!!

Happy Thanksgiving Holidays to the folks in U.S., and a good rest of the week, to all...!!

Edited November 23, 20223 yr by P_7878

757 by Quality Wings?

Nice article and shots P!  I can tell you from years of first hand experience of working on these on the L-10 they were fickle, difficult to access parts, and challenging to work on.  But they stayed on the wing for record hours, some broke records for wing longevity.  But still the most amazing thing to me was the fact that they had not just two but three spools.  And when we ran them during tests at the run-up hole man did they roar.  It was a sound unlike any other engine.  It was a grinding kind of roar, it was absolutely awesome the thrust these engines put out.

Fine set, love that different tails of the BA's.

cheers 😉

Folks: Many thanks for the comments...!!

[Jack: Good to hear from RW experience...🙂...Regarding the roar of RB211 engines, I really enjoyed listening to the sounds of it in the (low) Fly-past video, I've mentioned above...very distinct growl...!]

 

14 hours ago, efis007 said:

757 by Quality Wings?

Thanks for your interest and inquiry...!

This 757 is from CS... Actually, I almost wished to fly the QW 757 for this post, in the (metal) Eastern color, but liked the Tail design of this BA repaint... (And after all RB211 is a British design...🙂...) ...

Interesting post. Well done! 🙂

That “Whine” or a RR Engine is unmistakable…Fantastic Story/Photos

Very nice set of shots! 😉 

Very interesting P_7878, thanks for posting!

Paul, Patrick, Will, and bernd:

Thank you for the additional comments and thoughts...!! Cheers...!