With any vehicle, it’s easy to conclude that a bigger and more imposing model would be more powerful than a smaller one. These modest packages, however, can sometimes hide something rather special. The Boeing 757’s engines, positioned beneath the wings, were RB211-535Cs from Rolls-Royce on the family’s introduction, but it would also be powered by several different varieties from Pratt & Whitney as the 757-300 joined the line: the PW2037, PW2040, and PW2043.
The 757-200 boasted a range of around 4,490 miles (3,900 miles for the 757-300) and had top speeds of approximately 600 mph. With a maximum of 43,500lb of thrust output (provided by the RB211-535E4B), the 757 family had remarkable power for an aircraft of its type. Such power, in fact, means it needs only as little as 6,000 feet to get itself airborne. Versatility was a priority with this aircraft family, and this is a huge part of how that was achieved.
The 757-200 debuted in commercial flight in 1983, serving Eastern Airlines. In contrast to some aircraft models, there wouldn’t be a long string of variants following in its wake, but the 757 family did grow as time went on.
