GE Aircraft engine differences,what do you say?

LDC1011 · 08-09-2009, 10:34 AM

Hi guys!

I need some expert opinions here and it's regarding the General Electric engines on the earlier Airbus,747 and the DC10's. Basically as a collector for many years now, as well as having a respectable knowledge of jet engines,I have noticed that the GE CF6 engine (used on the A300's,DC10's and 742/3's), on the Aeroclassics and Aviation400 747's is not the same as that on the A300's and DC10's.I've often wondered why the model manufacturers have made them different,where in reality they're the same engines! Have a look at your models and you'll see there's a clear difference! AC's GE CF6 engines on the Airbus/DC10 models are spot on,yet they look totally wrong on the 74 models!! What are your opinions here?

David Hingtgen · 08-09-2009, 02:28 PM

The engines may be the same, but the nacelles will often differ. Not many variants have identical nacelles for the same engine on different planes. The JT9D-20/-70 is one (DC-10/742), as is the PW4056/4060(767/744).

Plus--variants, variants, and more variants. Even a sub-model as specific as the CF6-80C2-D1F has visual variations within itself depending on the year it was built.

Finally---because a lot*of models are just plain wrong! They either have the totally wrong engine, or the wrong variant. I'd say "wrong engines" is the most common error in all of 1/400, among all manufacturers. It's certainly among my most common phrases used here.

Yukon 880 · 08-09-2009, 02:51 PM

Personally, I do find it rather frustrating that more attention is not given to the "engines" as they pertain to the model being represented. Blatantly incorrect engines on the model will keep me from making a purchase, especially at the 1/200 level, though I do not presume to be important enough for that decision to have any impact at the manufacturing level.

EagleKnight · 08-10-2009, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

The engines may be the same, but the nacelles will often differ. Not many variants have identical nacelles for the same engine on different planes. The JT9D-20/-70 is one (DC-10/742), as is the PW4056/4060(767/744).

Plus--variants, variants, and more variants. Even a sub-model as specific as the CF6-80C2-D1F has visual variations within itself depending on the year it was built.

Finally---because a lot*of models are just plain wrong! They either have the totally wrong engine, or the wrong variant. I'd say "wrong engines" is the most common error in all of 1/400, among all manufacturers. It's certainly among my most common phrases used here.

Ah, The David has spoken!

WestjetterO · 08-10-2009, 01:01 PM

Most DC-10s and A300's were Powered by GE CF6-50 engines. A lot of 747 today use CF6-80's.

LDC1011 · 08-10-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestjetterO

Most DC-10s and A300's were Powered by GE CF6-50 engines. A lot of 747 today use CF6-80's.

I'm actually talking about the older 74's that used GE's not the 744's. Basically what i'm saying is have a look at Gemini's TransAmerica 747/2 model done some years back.This model has the GE engines (which are used on the DC10/A300) and it looks perfect.Dragon got their GE engines correct, yet AC's and Aviation 400 can't seem to get the engine mould right!

David Hingtgen · 08-10-2009, 05:33 PM

For that particular example (AC/BB 742 w/GE)--I don't think that mold even "tried" to do the engine right--I think they used their 744's CF6-80 mold as a substitute for a CF6-50. I've always thought that CF6-80 mold was a bad one to start with, and looks a bit CF6-50-ish. It's not really right for ANY 747 IMHO. (The only 744s I buy are Dragon's, because everyone else has bad engines!)

Yukon 880 · 08-10-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

For that particular example (AC/BB 742 w/GE)--I don't think that mold even "tried" to do the engine right--I think they used their 744's CF6-80 mold as a substitute for a CF6-50. I've always thought that CF6-80 mold was a bad one to start with, and looks a bit CF6-50-ish. It's not really right for ANY 747 IMHO. (The only 744s I buy are Dragon's, because everyone else has bad engines!)

Sad, but true.
I wish more attention was given to the powerplants.

LDC1011 · 08-11-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

For that particular example (AC/BB 742 w/GE)--I don't think that mold even "tried" to do the engine right--I think they used their 744's CF6-80 mold as a substitute for a CF6-50. I've always thought that CF6-80 mold was a bad one to start with, and looks a bit CF6-50-ish. It's not really right for ANY 747 IMHO. (The only 744s I buy are Dragon's, because everyone else has bad engines!)

I agree!! DW are the only ones who seem to have done their "engine-homework"!! Well on CF6-50's (older generation) and the modern versions on 744's anyway. Socatec managed to do a good job on their UTA 742!