Too many engines!

[Shane Stachwick]

I have seen VLJs with a single engine, 777s with twin engines, MD-11s with three, A380s with four, the 367-80 modified with five, the An-225 with six, the CL-52 with seven, and B-52s with eight. Has anyone made or modified a jet with 9 engines? Just curious.

[rafair]

It's a long time ago but I seem to remember flying a B-52 with two jet powered missiles under the wings. Not really a 10 engined but close.

[Sprocket]

It's a long time ago but I seem to remember flying a B-52 with two jet powered missiles under the wings. Not really a 10 engined but close.

Well there must be something in it..
I recently watched a show on TV about the logistics of getting things in and out of the North Pole science installations.
They have specially rigged C130's on ski's, and for takeoff they fix small jet engines both sides near the tail end.
On take-off, these pilots get a super shove from behind

Found this link..

http://www.wimp.com/howplanes/

[planephysician]

The B-36 had 10. 6 R-4360's and 4 J-47's.



Dave

[Shane Stachwick]

10 engines is cool. How about 9? It seems to me that designers don't even bother with odd numbers greater than three. The great part about an odd number (3 for example) is that if your center engine goes out, you still have symmetrical thrust. If say, your port engine goes out instead, you can descend, shut off the starboard engine, and fly with symmetrical thrust from your center engine. The thrust reduction is less for a greater number of engines (5,7,or 9 for example). Perhaps this is because it's difficult to accommodate an engine within the tail? I know that the V-tail solution makes this less of a problem, though.

[Fozzer]

Of course, when it comes to actual cylinders, they come in odd-numbers....

Radial engines:

..3...5...7...9... ...!

Paul.....a very odd number.!.. ...!

[Shane Stachwick]

Dornier 31 (West German experimental VTOL tactical transport) had 10 engines. That leaves the only "gap" that I know of at 9.

[tinpusher]

Dornier Do X flying boat of 1929 had 12 engines.

[Shane Stachwick]

Dornier Do X flying boat of 1929 had 12 engines.

Yes, I have heard of that. I'm just looking for a jet-powered aircraft. The Dornier X was awesome, but even with 12 engines, it was underpowered and a commercial failure.

[Shane Stachwick]

The B-36 had 10. 6 R-4360's and 4 J-47's.



Dave

On a good day: "6 turning, 4 burning"

On a bad day: "2 turning, 2 burning, 2 smoking, 2 choking, and 2 engines unaccounted for."

[Shane Stachwick]

Dassault Mirage IIIV (French prototype VTOL fighter) had 9 engines.