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#1
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Vpod on Boeing 747?
I just stumbled across a picture on the web of a 747 that has a 5th
engine mounted between the fuselage and inboard left engine, neatly under the wing. The photo's caption states that it is a Qantas 747 carrying an extra engine for a sister ship. It was referred to as "a Vpod configuration." I saw the photo on airliners.net, so I figured it would be genuine. Is this something Qantas has done, or it this common at all (carrying a spare engine on the outside of the aircraft for ferrying purposes)? -ben |
#2
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It used to be an option airlines could order for their aircraft.
I don't know how many took up that option nor whether it's still being offered on the -400 series. wrote in message oups.com... I just stumbled across a picture on the web of a 747 that has a 5th engine mounted between the fuselage and inboard left engine, neatly under the wing. The photo's caption states that it is a Qantas 747 carrying an extra engine for a sister ship. It was referred to as "a Vpod configuration." I saw the photo on airliners.net, so I figured it would be genuine. Is this something Qantas has done, or it this common at all (carrying a spare engine on the outside of the aircraft for ferrying purposes)? -ben |
#3
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I know British Airways used to use them. They're called "5th pods" and are
used just to deadhead a spare engine someplace. Pylon kit attaches to hardpoints under the wing and the engine isn't running (don't know if that was obvious from the discussion or not:-) ) Shawn wrote in message oups.com... I just stumbled across a picture on the web of a 747 that has a 5th engine mounted between the fuselage and inboard left engine, neatly under the wing. The photo's caption states that it is a Qantas 747 carrying an extra engine for a sister ship. It was referred to as "a Vpod configuration." I saw the photo on airliners.net, so I figured it would be genuine. Is this something Qantas has done, or it this common at all (carrying a spare engine on the outside of the aircraft for ferrying purposes)? -ben |
#4
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The Fifth Pod was used to ferry spare engines either over long distances to
where replacement engines couldn't be located for sister ships that needed them. TWA used them a bit before 74s retired. Good for getting engines overseas. |
#5
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Thanks for the replies, everyone! I'd like to see one of these in
person sometime. It almost looks like the front of the engine is just covered in some kind of plastic, and would seem to be a huge drag on the rest of the airframe. Not quite as much as flying with a Space Shuttle onboard, but still draggy. Thanks again! -ben |
#6
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wrote in message oups.com... Thanks for the replies, everyone! I'd like to see one of these in person sometime. It almost looks like the front of the engine is just covered in some kind of plastic, and would seem to be a huge drag on the rest of the airframe. Not quite as much as flying with a Space Shuttle onboard, but still draggy. You are correct. The engine is inside of a specially designed fairing. After (or during) installation, a special mach warning switch is installed or switched in. There is a similar fourth pod arrangement for DC-10. Our experienced fifth pod crew could hang or remove a fifth pod at the terminal gate within an hour (IIRC) and the switch, about the size of a coke can, only took me about fifteen min. to replace. (Info for Tarver: That includes leak testing the pitot probe. :-)) JK |
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