(Perhaps this should be in the Nostalgia section)
It is almost ironic that the engine should be considered to be so good at absorbing foreign objects, seagulls etc. Was'nt the problem with the original design which was going to use composites in the fan, that it was too vulnerable to FOD.
If I remember correctly RR was essentially bankrupted over the redesign.
As I remember them on the L-1011 they had excellent throttle response, just avoid trying to start them with too much tail wind.