747 with 5 engines
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747 with 5 engines
When I was younger, I seem to recall seeing on a couple of occasions seeing a 747 take off over my house with a 5th engine attached.
I've not seen the same since. Was this common practice then or does it still occur on occasions?
Doesn't it mean there is a lot of drag with presumably a lot of rudder trim involved?
Please tell me I was not imaginiing it!
I've not seen the same since. Was this common practice then or does it still occur on occasions?
Doesn't it mean there is a lot of drag with presumably a lot of rudder trim involved?
Please tell me I was not imaginiing it!
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Quite a lot of drag, not a great deal of rudder trim as it is mounted inboard. They do attach covers to help reduce the drag. Quite a lot of work attaching and removing, but because of the size of the engine, the easiest way to ship around. Quite rare.
I'm not sure how the large GE engine of the B777 is shipped around!
I'm not sure how the large GE engine of the B777 is shipped around!
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Its a less common sight now as there are more engine worksops globally now and airline pooling arrangements.
Ivé seen engines transported by 747 cargo planes, not sure about 777 engs there a lot smaller without the cowls.
Ivé seen engines transported by 747 cargo planes, not sure about 777 engs there a lot smaller without the cowls.
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Spikeair - known as '5th Engine podding' - required different performance figures and also longer turnround time at destination to 'unpod' the engine. Not so common these days with engine pools at various airports, but can still be done on the 747-400. B777, A345/6 and A380 engines would not fit a 747 for carriage due ground clearance.
Surely any engine that fits in a 747 freighter also fits into an Anotnov 124/225?
They have certinaly flown 777 engines for AOG in the past.
And some large engines do also fit inside IL-76 aircraft, although I don't know if this includes 747/777 and A380 engines.
Can a 747-400 definitely pod a 5th engine as I've only ever seen Classics do it.
They have certinaly flown 777 engines for AOG in the past.
And some large engines do also fit inside IL-76 aircraft, although I don't know if this includes 747/777 and A380 engines.
Can a 747-400 definitely pod a 5th engine as I've only ever seen Classics do it.
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Probably a morbid point- Air india Flight 182 brought down by a bomb over the atlantic in 1985, was transporting a fifth engine. I believe it was limited to a cruise of 280Kts or so.
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On all 747-400 you can still see the attachment points, but I think the a/c is not certified for the actual transport.
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Qanta...438/0289429/M/
When I flew 747Cs, my performance manuals had all the spare engine ferry figures.
Also, the VC10 could carry a spare engine, but it was enclosed in an aerodynamic pod and I gather there wasn't much of a drag penalty. BOAC had RR Conways on both their 707s and VC10s and the VC10 was the aircraft that transported engines around if needed down route.
Also, the VC10 could carry a spare engine, but it was enclosed in an aerodynamic pod and I gather there wasn't much of a drag penalty. BOAC had RR Conways on both their 707s and VC10s and the VC10 was the aircraft that transported engines around if needed down route.
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The 744 fifth pod mounts was a customer option. BA's 744 had that option (all except the last few I believe... note to self to go check).
We have used it but not often as ops don't like the penalty! preferring to use the Russian freighter.(RB211 and similar engines will fit in a IL 76.)
The GE90 and Trent will only fit in the AN124 and even that is a tight fit If you only need to ship a GE90 propulsor it will go into a 747 freighter.
We have used it but not often as ops don't like the penalty! preferring to use the Russian freighter.(RB211 and similar engines will fit in a IL 76.)
The GE90 and Trent will only fit in the AN124 and even that is a tight fit If you only need to ship a GE90 propulsor it will go into a 747 freighter.
Last edited by gas path; 28th May 2008 at 18:50.
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BA 5th Pods
All 3 sitting unused for donkeys (geddit) years in corner of the Casualty Hangar. Scrap value only I'd suggest - PW one for the -100 probably museum material.
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I seem to remember the Air India 747 that crashed in the atlantic off Southern Ireland in the early 1980`s was carrying a fifth engine, however this had nothing to do with the accident as far as i can remember.