Boeing 727-300?

[FinalApproach]

Since the 727-200 is the best aircraft ever made... I just want to know if Boeing had ever thought of making a 727-300 or upwards, sort of like their 737-100-900's! Is it because the interest was just lost, OR (my reason)because the 727-200 was the best they could ever make!!!

"If something works, don't change it" clap.gif

[aerpix]

I think the 727 was a truly good aircraft, but probably not the best. Given the huge number of DC-3s produced, and the fair number of them still flying today after over 60 years, this was probably the best transport aircraft of all times.

AFAIK there have never been plans of a 727-300, as at the time any such plan may have come up there were already designs like the 757 and MD-80 around. And two engines are less costly than three.

Regards,
Peter

[PA31]

Actually, I think before the 757 project was launched, Boeing did look at a stretched, 2-engine 727, to be the -300 model. Kinda like a longer, fatter MD-80. However, they decided in the end to go with an all-new design as the proposed -300 wasn't all that efficient. Sadly, I can't remember where I saw this, so feel free to correct me if I got any of this wrong.

[Southwest737]

Actually, I was lead to belive the 727-300 is actually- THE 757!!! The 757 was orginally proposed to be the next version of the 727, but after checking it over they redesigned everyhting and called it the 757.

[tommyalf]

Acutely the 727-300 project was nothing more then a stretched version of the existing 727-200. The project was announced in 1974 with two models, the 727-300A and the 727-300B with a passenger capacity of 189. It was still going to be a tri-jet using P&W JT8D-217. The only airline to express any interest was United but since the designs didn't call for a significant fuel savings, they dropped their interest. As for the first designs for the 757, it retained the 727's body design and T-tail but the design was scrapped. It really wasn't a nice looking design at all. Today's 757 is a much nicer looking aircraft.

[JayDavis]

Would also the cost of flying a 727-300 been more since it was a three man crew? One other thought on this thread.

[Lance]

Knowing someone who worked at Boeing during the time and who also worked on the 757/767 project. The 727-300 did become the 757. The reason? Boeing wanted to make the cockpit interchangeable with the 767. That way the same pilots could be type rated with both the 767 and 757 with the same license. That made the Boeing product more desirable to the airlines. The car companies do this a lot! The true difference between a Chrysler Town & Country and a Dodge Caravan? The spelling.

Also that is why the 757 does not have the classic Boeing nose. You “step down” into a 757 cockpit. Strange, but true.

<FONT COLOR="black" SIZE="1">[ December 22, 2002 05:46 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Lance ]</font>