RR was certainly bankrupted over the -211 composite fan, unfortunately the technology of the time wasn't upto scratch. The government of the day had to bail them out and rename the company (Rolls Royce 1971 ltd or something
). It wasn't until the mid '90s that the technology became good enough, with the arrival of the GE90, (but even that had to have a titanium t/e and l/e due to problems!!). Having said that the '90 never had to prove itself with a full blade off release test, but thats another story. With such a good fan it's a shame the rest of it lets it down
All the old cf6 failings and some extras for good measure
A good way to wind up the GE reps is to suggest that the '90 fan married to the Trent core would have made an unbeatable powerplant.
