Hmmm, much is made (it seems) that Rollers consume more fuel than their GE counterparts.
Nope, not the case, when you compare the L1011 with the DC10, at equal in-flight weights (mass, for our European friends)...
IE: the mad dog consumed 9%
more, at the same enroute weight.
Confirmed by IATA data, at the time.
'Tis a fact.
Also, the three-spool Roller design was quieter, by a large measure.
Of the three American original widebody designs,
only the L1011's (exclusively Rollers) were stage three compliant...at ALL weights.
(Again, 'mass', for our Euroland friends.
)
I repeat....RollsRoyce manufactures mighty fine turbine engines.
So says me...with well over twenty thousand hours in RR powered airplanes.
And, at least another year to go....
NB.
Admitted however...the Rollers are significantly heavier than others, due to the three shaft design.
How much heavier?
Twenty six hundred pounds, in the case of the RR 211 series used on the B747.
But...is saved far more fuel in its years of service.
Another fact.