@unmanned transport
Exactly which RB211-524 are you refering to?
The -524 does not have a 'thrust link arrangement' as it's not required. The Trent however does have a thrust link as does the 90, that links the aft engine mount to the fancase (NOT the forward mount.).
The rigidity of the base 211 comes from the fact that the engine is complete with all the thrust reverser and cold stream duct. (A tube within a tube if you like, very rigid in its own right!).
The reason that the Trents and the 90 have the thrust links is as you pointed out to increase the rigidity of the engine because the thrust reverser halves are now an airframe part and remain with. The 'tubes' BTW are not aluminium but high grade steel...they need to be as there is a lot of torsional loads on them.
Last edited by gas path; 14th Mar 2011 at 23:09.