RB 211 to Trent
 

I seem to remember when the RB 211 was being developed there was much made of the three shaft configuration as opposed to the two shafts in the GE and PW. The claim was that this setup gave a more optimium performance to the different airflow in the engine and the benefits would become more apparent as the thrust levels were developed. My question is, has this advantage been realized in the Trent, or was it all marketing clap trap?

Thanks in advance.

The advantage was in fact realised in the RB211. The Trent is a development of the RB211.

The next version, for the 7E7, will also have 3 shafts, but the new thing is that one of them will rotate in a different direction from the other two!!