"Ed Kyle" wrote in news:1135750019.850307.129440
@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:


Pat Flannery wrote:


Yeah, it was a resounding success...but jeeze, those engines are about
1/2 step forward from a V-2's.


Maybe that is why R-7 has been successful. There seems to be a
place for "low-tech" ruggedness. The USAF is still flying B-52s
of the same vintage as the early R-7s, after all (and could keep them
flying for decades more if needed). B-52Hs are still powered by the
same engines that pushed DC-8s and 707s around - engines that
themselves weren't far removed from the J57s that might be
considered the V-2 engines of the jet age.

Though it does appear that both are going to be re-engined
with more modern (and efficient) designs. Don't know about the
B-52s engines, but the ol' R-7's are kinda interesting and
nearly unique, being spun up with hydrogen peroxide instead
of a 'hot' gas generator. The 'staged combustion' HTP/kero
engines that the Black Knight/Arrow? used were interesting, too.
Not really high performance, but good enough in subtle ways
to do the job.

--Damon