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A few years back, GE or P&W were running around to air shows with an
unducted fan powered MD-80. It would take off early in the show and at the end
make some very fast fly bys with just the one add-ball engine screaming, and the
other conventional JT-8D shut down. It had addly shapped blades, and lots of
them. The tips were well supersonic. Supposedly it was getting great mileage,
and would be used today if the noise could have been overcome. With a rotary
power they wouldn't have noticed the prop noise at all.
Lynn E. Hanover
In a message dated 3/11/2008 3:13:59 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
lendich@optusnet.com.au writes:
Lynn,
That would be my take on it as well, a properly engineered shaft
and bearings without the planetary. Although it would be a pretty small prop
running at 3,000 to 5,000 RPM. The efficiency of the prop would be well down
as well as the HP and Torque. A PP with high compression rotor would off-set
some losses.
Anything can be done.
George (down under)
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