Originally Posted by
43Inches
Hmm, not sure what they are smoking but the SAAB is only tested and certified to mach .5/250 KIAS. That certification is not a limitation of the current engines, but its an overall standard to which it was certified at great cost. Strapping some jets to where the props used to be will not suddenly allow it to cruise at 518 MPH (450 KTAS). The 340 was initially going to be certified to higher speeds, however to keep the costs down they only went for the lowest 250KIAS/mach 0.5 as the engines were not going to push it much above that anyway, without descent. When SAAB looked to stretch the 340 into the 2000 they thought it would be able to handle 310KIAS/mach 0.7, however when flight testing began it became apparent there were flaws in the 340 design when it came to high speed flight, mainly around the tail section and flutter, which led to powered controls being developed, and the delays to the program as a result led to it's demise. It also gained it's highest speed by climbing quickly to FL280-310 and cruising there. To modify a SAAB 340 airframe to be able to handle the speed being talked about, modify the frame for the engines, and then fit it out with equipment for flight above FL 250, and then the cost of the engines, which I assume will reduce range as well, re-certification costs, I think you might get the idea by now.
In anycase, where is the gear going to retract in those diagrams.
C&L is not just some backyard show. They have been around Saab 340
and 2000 for eons as well as other regional jet types.