I miss guarding those big boys at Barksdale
4 replies (most recent on top)
Lousy TF-33?
The TF33/JT3D is one of the best selling engines of all time.
The only mechanical issues these fleets have are due to the fact that they haven't had full overhauls in decades.
Now, if you care about fuel burn, yes, a 1960s engine would be poor relative to any engine built today. But the B-52 flies infrequently and has very very large fuel tanks. You will never save enough fuel to justify a re-engine. But a JT3D can be reairfoiled during a full overhaul for a dramatic fuel burn improvment. You can easily put a FADEC on it too. The potential of that core was never realized.
Would have been better with GE.
They will fly so much better with Rolls Royce engines as opposed to those lousy TF-33 engines
Long live the "BUFF"