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by Mr. Meaulnes on July 7th, 2008
Probably just because technology made small, coincidental leaps forward at the proper times for five and seven to get skipped.
But it might also have something to do with the fact that five and seven are both uneven prime numbers higher than the number of basic frame components on a typical aircraft (3: body, and two wings), and as far as I can tell, that makes them rather awkward numbers of engines to try to position aerodynamically on a conventional aircraft frame.
In order to make five engines aerodynamically functional, you'd practically have to build a plane on the model of a Thai Fighter.
And I can't even imagine how you'd engineer an aerodynamic balance for a large, prime number like seven...
In which part or chain of parts inside a jet engine does the net forward thrust appear and get transmitted to the pylon and the airframe?
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You're reading Why are there planes with 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 engines, but (as far as I know) none with 5 or 7?
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Comments
For five engines you could put two on each wing, like on a 747, and one in the tail, like on a 727.
by KevinW42 on July 7th, 2008
True enough...
I don't claim to know, but that have been inefficient in terms of weight at the time when five engines would have been state-of-the-art. Or maybe it was just more convienient to move up to six...
There are so many factors at work in technological development:
How durable and in-demand the pre-existing models are, for one.
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Just look at tehcnology like the AK-47. It's still in wide use, because it's a good product. The same may well hold true for some four-engine aircraft out there, making the five-engine design obsolete before it was even made.
by Mr. Meaulnes on July 7th, 2008