BB1987 wrote: * | September 19th, 2017, 9:41 pm |
Looks cool, and a pretty interesting what-if model. If you like some suggestions, I'd personally try to implement some more of the aerodynamic improvements of the MD-11 (maybe except of the reduced horizontal stabilizer which made it much faster and tricky to be handled during landing).
The only true quibble might be that it probably need more powerful engines, like those of the A330 or the 777 (the latter more ideal given the plane size). Yet possibly only the RR ones for the A330 would be available for the early 90s.
Noted - I'll look into the aerodynamics as you mentioned. Can you expand on the improvements McDonnell-Douglas made on the MD-11 vis-a-vis the DC-10?
Engine choice was based on what was available for the time for the 767-300ER which entered Service in 1988, which would probably be the most comparable to, albeit smaller and lighter than our hypothetical MD-11 twin. As you say, RR Trent 700s are also a viable option which I'll have to look into.
I imagine MD introducing this instead of the MD-11 trijet in the 1990-1991 timeframe. I think that two variants might be in order, a smaller MD-11-sized variant with increased range as well as this variant which might be underpowered as-is but could benefit from the improved engines available in the mid-90s.
Hood wrote: * | September 20th, 2017, 8:34 am |
It looks good.
I would be tempted to make the wing roots a little more aerodynamic perhaps.
Agreed! This was a pretty quick cut and paste job and I'd like to go back and refine it further. In fact I'd like to move the entire wing section forward to offset the weight reduction from the lost #2 engine. I think that would help to make this design look more balanced overall.