In the early 60s of the last century , the Boeing 727 first flew into the sky. This model became the second and last model of the concern, which received a three-engine layout. The very next model - 737 - had an engine layout that can be seen on almost every modern airliner - on pylons under the wings.
The model came out in response to requests from carriers for a small economical airliner that could be used on short- and medium-haul flights. However, sales were poor at first. There was even an opinion among carriers that it was better to buy used 707 than the new 727. This went on until a radical change in the development. The new model was introduced in 1967. Flight and technical characteristics remain unchanged, with the exception of one parameter. The aircraft, codenamed "Boeing-727-200", had a load capacity one third more than that of the prototype.
Three engine airplane
It should be noted that in those years, the decision on three engines in the rear of the fuselage was a typical option for the aircraft industry and the Boeing, having abandoned the general canons, was at great risk. This layout option was received by American aircraft, take at least the MD-10 (11) model, issued by the McDonnell Douglas company. It was also used in the Soviet aircraft industry.
Boeing 727 and Tu-154 (in the pictures above) are apparently twin brothers. Both have a three-engine layout, all motors are pressed to the rear of the fuselage. The upper one is equipped with an air intake located in front of the keel, the other two on the sides. Common features can be listed for a long time, but there is one difference. Boeing built its aircraft under the orders of several American airlines, and 727 was mainly used for domestic flights. Yes, some carriers were bought by other carriers, but because of some conditions, this aircraft mainly flew only over the States and Alaska.
Description and Features
In addition to the location of the engines in the rear of the Boeing 727, it boasted some distinctive features that are no longer used in modern aircraft. The brightest were the doors. The first models released before 1967 had only two. One is on the left, right behind the cockpit. The second position was greatly influenced by future users - airlines. The door was in the rear, under the keel, while it had its own gangway. Its removal was controlled by the hydraulics of the aircraft. Such a solution made it possible to operate the model in small, little-used airports.
Since the aircraft was developed, already having specific customers, the wings became the second striking innovation. Companies wanted to be able to use the liner also at small airports with small runways. There was a problem. On the one hand, the optimum engine operation is achieved at high altitude at cruising speed. On the other hand, a short strip prohibits landing at high speed. In order to meet both requirements, the wing must have certain characteristics. The presence of an engine underneath makes it difficult to carry out all the tasks assigned, as a result they were moved to the rear.
The internal layout of the Boeing 727 was standard for the narrow-body type. The customer was offered a choice of two solutions. Or one economy - 6 seats in a row with the number of passengers up to 190, or the number decreases to 140, but the plane will have two classes - business (4 seats in a row) and economy.
Cardinal fracture
A few years after the start of sales, the developer had to change the project. The result was an extension of the fuselage by 6 meters by inserting two blocks three meters long in front of and behind the wings. Considering that this did not lead to a special increase in maintenance costs, the situation changed, and the Boeing 727 became one of the best-selling aircraft of its time.
Modifications
Before proceeding to the description of the modifications, we note that the airplane, in addition to the elongation described above, has practically not undergone dramatic changes in its 20-year history. Perhaps the fault is that the most commonly used (as they call it now) 737 has entered the market. Maybe it’s the moral obsolescence.
The first generation before processing received the name "Boeing-727-100". Based on this model, three additional versions were released:
- F is a pure truck. The difference of this modification was a large (2x3) cargo door in addition to those laid down in the basic project.
- C - cargo-passenger. At the same time, the feature was the ability to quickly rearrange. The customer on his own could remake it either in pure cargo or in economy.
- QF - This option has not been mass-produced. It was a standard cargo plane, only equipped with Rolls-Royce engines.
The second generation - version 200 - in addition to the purely passenger received several additional options:
- F - freight versions based on 200 were collected only 15 pieces.
- 727-200A - this code received a plane with an increased range. In addition to increasing the fuel supply, this model received a reinforced structure, more powerful engines with reverse thrust, and new equipment. Also, the hallmark of all 200 series aircraft was the additional doors for passengers incorporated in the project.
This is the line of Boeing 727 aircraft. 800 models of the first generation and more than 1000 - in version 200A.
Technical details
Briefly consider the technical performance of the aircraft:
- Wingspan - 33 m.
- Area - 157 square meters. m
- Height (tail) - 10.5 m.
- The width of the fuselage - 3.76 m.
- Length - 47 m.
- Cruising speed - 965 km / h.
- Ceiling - 12 2000 m.
- Flight range - 4020 km (for version 200A).
We separately mention the engines. The agreement with Rolls-Royce did not last long. Therefore, all aircraft received three identical engines from Pratt and Whitney. The first generation aircraft received one model with a thrust of 14 kN. Cars of the 200th model were given a choice of three options. Engines were produced by the same company, but at the same time had a thrust of up to 17 kN + the ability to work in several modes.
Using a liner
The development of the aircraft was carried out for specific orders of American airlines, and most of the aircraft did not leave North America. Nevertheless, over 20 years of production, the Boeing 727 managed to visit all corners of the globe. The plane was bought not only in the USA - it worked on the lines of other countries. In the mid-80s, production was completely switched to the 737 model. The aircraft made its last flights in a livery of poor airlines in Latin America and Asia.
In his homeland - in the USA - he flew on charter flights of one small company until 2008. Then it was declared bankrupt, and the aircraft (in the amount of 16 pieces) were put on metal. According to official figures, in the same year 2008, there were no more than 500 of the nearly 2,000 aircraft produced at one time. All of them are converted to the F-version and are no longer used in passenger traffic.
Reviews
To complete the picture, it is worth writing a few reviews of those who happened to catch the plane. Note that even at the time of the collapse of the Union, it still carried passengers.
The reviews interestingly compare him with his Russian brother, forgetting that there were no new-fashioned options during the years of production on airplanes. The old age of the car is noted, there are comparisons with the usual old "Ikarus". Sometimes there are truly funny comparisons with the Boeing 737. But although the first 737 came out in the years of the start of production of the second generation of the described liner, it was a completely different machine, with a different interior, an updated filling, and a reserve for the great future.
Despite all these disadvantages, eminent companies involved in cargo delivery are happy with the plane.
Conclusion
We briefly touched on most of the technical aspects of the Boeing 727. The photographs presented above resemble a representative of the Soviet aircraft industry. Designed by Tupolev Design Bureau, the liner became almost the twin of the American. But appearance is far from everything that aviation is working on. Boeing 727 has been superseded from the sky by new models of the concern of the same name. The Russian version, with proper care, is still working. Is this not the best indicator of the difference between outwardly similar machines?