He did a credible "F1-like" storable engine so the argument could go either way.

All the sources on that engine (the RD-270) that I can find either say that the engine had serious problems (combustion stability was mentioned in at least once source) or that it worked beautifully and was pretty much ready to fly when the plug was pulled on its development.

I'm not sure which sources to believe.

Maybe not as the justification is viable especially if you have many of the same issues with the early Proton. A thought is that if Yangel gets Glushko and Korolev in a working arrangement that would leave Chemolei having to look elsewhere for an engine maker which may have him turn to Kutsonov who didn't really have storable experience which could lead to worse performance and another disaster which Yangel can turn to an argument for switching propellants.

Hmm. Very interesting idea.

Poor Kutsonov though... Or Kuznetsov. (I take it you meant Kuznetsov?)

fasquardon
 
R-56 and The Infamous "Project Pilgrim" ?
Thanks RanulfC and fasquardon,
you two gave me a very nasty idea for a TL...
 
fasquadron wrote:
All the sources on that engine (the RD-270) that I can find either say that the engine had serious problems (combustion stability was mentioned in at least once source) or that it worked beautifully and was pretty much ready to fly when the plug was pulled on its development.

I'm not sure which sources to believe.

In Soviet Russia you believe... :) Seriously I'd think that it would greatly depend, (under the scenario considered) on Yangel and the Central Committee's general attitude and specific reasoning. As you note I can see Yangel haunted by the past but he DID push forward on work on the R-56 anyway. This may have been mostly because Glushko wasn't willing to work on anything else but storable propellant but if Yangle can line up the Central Committee support for a switch then I don't think Glushko is going to have much of a choice. Not that I don't see Glushko using such pressure as an excuse if he thinks he can get ahead out of it.

Hmm. Very interesting idea.

Poor Kutsonov though... Or Kuznetsov. (I take it you meant Kuznetsov?)

Errr, no, not at all... I meant Fred Kutsonov, ... Of Cleveland! Everyone knows he was Chemolei's back up 'go-to' man for high powered engines and how he kept Glushko in line with threats to use his obviously superior cow-milk and olive oil propulsion system...

Nope, just no, going to let that one drop and admit I screwed up the name... Big time :)

On a more serious note Chemolei and Kuznetsov were both from the 'air' craft side of business so without or limited access to Glushko I can see Chemolei going back to his 'roots' as it were. Korolev had been using Kuznetsov for his engines while he was feuding with Glushko anyway so it's possible they could work together. However Kuznetsov's only experience was with kero/lox engines so that may be a problem.

Randy
 
R-56 and The Infamous "Project Pilgrim" ?
Thanks RanulfC and fasquardon,
you two gave me a very nasty idea for a TL...

Hey if you don't then I'd have to and fitting it in my idea for a TL and frankly I'm not sure I can stretch plausibility that far :)
(I leave it to the audience to figure if my actually doing a TL or the Project Pilgrim is the more un-plausible outcome :) )

Randy
 
Hey if you don't then I'd have to and fitting it in my idea for a TL and frankly I'm not sure I can stretch plausibility that far :)
(I leave it to the audience to figure if my actually doing a TL or the Project Pilgrim is the more un-plausible outcome :) )

A Project Pilgrim Scenario is close to ABS special on Hardware and order of events
but it gonna be fun
 
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