T3 and Boost Engine
Mention of the introduction of the T3 sparks memories. The fact that the engine was ‘plastic’ gave rise to great incredulity. The first few months in service however, saw a concrete block because it had not yet proved itself. When in service, it required (IIRC) a min of 900 kgs of fuel in the centre tank. The engine was shut down on reaching 3,000ft, by pressing the fail light, often by P2’s left foot! P3 was always kept busy when taxying out at LHR because any intersection T/O would require a YES/NO or a revision of figures. When in the R/H seat, I had a flight to ZRH with a particularly fuel conscious management pilot (TW). On arrival, he asked for our estimated T/O weight and this required the boost engine, so the extra 900 kgs were duly loaded. When the papers came, we were 5 or 600 kgs over the ‘No Boost Wt’. This, of course, was caused by the extra 900 kgs. Much cursing and grumbling ensued, all the way back home and his calculator was read hot working out just how much that had cost the company (and, of course, it was all our fault).
Prober