Designed
as a medium to short range partner for the Boeing 707, the 727 was originally
intended to be powered by three Allison-built, Rolls-Royce RB-163 Spey turbofans.
Boeing aimed for the maximum commonality with the 707 in order to reduce initial
costs and design delays. This manifested itself in the identical fuselage profile
from the floor cabin upwards, and the very similar cockpit layout. The advanced
new wing was the first on an airliner to have triple-slotted trailing edge flaps,
and the APU was also a first for a Boeing airliner. On 30 November 1960, United
and Eastern both ordered 40 Boeing 727s, bringing the project to production
status. The first 727 flew from Renton in February 1963, at which time Boeing
had further orders for 131, including the first foreign order, 12 for Lufthansa.
We take pleasure in bringing you the classic Boeing 727-100 in the well-acknowledged
blue livery of Braniff International Airways.
Copyright
1998-2001 Dragon Models Limited. All Rights Reserved.
