Design work of the Boeing 727, in its distinctive tri jet configuration, had begun in early 1956 with the design being finalised in Septem¬ber 1959. Considerable savings in construction were envisaged with the fuselage upper sections being identical to the B.707/720 series. The airliner was to be independent of ground support with a Garrett¬AiResearch GTC85 auxiliary power unit for electrics, pneumatic starting and cabin airconditioning. Construc¬tion go ahead came in August 1960 and, on 3 February 1963, N7001U made the first flight, out of Renton. FAA certification of the B.727 100 followed on 20 December 1963 and the first commercial flight of the type was made by Eastern Airlines on 1 February 1964 between Philadelphia and Florida.

The wing, with leading-edge slats and the newly-invented Kruger flaps to provide high lift for takeoff from short landing strips, was the most advanced then built. The wingtip of a 727 was bent upward 9 ft before structural failure occurred in static tests. It successfully took loads in excess of 425,000 lb. Unlike the 707, the 727 has power-operated control surfaces, but tabs on the primary controls enable the pilot to take over in emergencies. The 727 has a main passenger access at the rear, via a hydraulic stairway beneath the rear fuselage, and a pressure-tight bulkhead door inside.

Boeing 727 Article

The 727-100 first flew on 9 February 1963, first entering service with Eastern Air Lines on 1 February 1964, with the 727-100C first entering service on 23 April 1966.

In 1963 a series of demonstration flights to 41 cities in 23 countries was carried out. Orders by the added up to 137 including six more for TWA giving then 16 in total.

In 1965 United Air Lines ordered 25 more Boeing 727’s for $110,000,000, bringing United’s 727 fleet to 65 by 1966.

Boeing built a cargo version, installing a heavier flooring, floor beams and a cargo door and the first 100C was ready in mid 1964; a convertible passenger/freight configuration and able to carry 30,000 lb (13608 kg) over a range of 1,900 miles (3058 km). The 727-100Cs are powered by three Pratt and Whitney JT8D M turbofans of 14500 lbs thrust each, are capable of a maximum speed of around 512 knots and a cruise of 461 knots while lifting a maximum take off weight of 80740 kg (178000 lbs) over a maximum range at all up weight of 4800 km (2476 nm).

D.B. Cooper Boeing 727 Hijack

A total of 582 Series -100 were built, the last delivered in October 1972.

Originally built as the to seat a maximum of 131 passengers (727 100), it was quickly followed by a stretched version, the 727 200 which had a 20 ft (6,10 m) longer fuselage than the 727 100. The 727-200 first flying on 27 July 1967 and received FAA certification on 30 November 1967. The improved and stretched fuselage 727-200 entered service with Northeast Airlines 14 December 1967.

The last of 1,260 727-200s was delivered in September 1984.

As built, the standard 727 100 had most of its fuel in three main tanks, one in each wing (Nos 1 and 2) and one in the wing center section (Main Tank No 3). At the request of Australia’s two major domestic airlines, Boeing increased the capacity with the use of a cell added to the No 2 tank. Fuel capacity remained unchanged for the 727 200 but under the ‘Advanced 727’ program to improve the breed (of which more fuel was but one of many refinements), the standard fuel capacity was increased with a larger No 2 tank. In addition, a series of optional flexible ‘modular’ fuel tanks could be installed in the forward and aft baggage compartments.

The Boeing 727 had a factory option for JATO bottles and Mexicana ordered theirs that way for high elevation airfields.

Only six examples of the 727 have ever been operated by the American armed forces. All but one of the six belonged to Detachment One of the District of Columbia Air National Guard (DC ANG) at Andrews AFB, Maryland. General Maxwell R. Thurman, head of US Southern Command in Panama, used the sixth machine for his frequent travels between Central America and Washington. Thurman’s aircraft is Boeing C-22A 84-0193, a model 727-030 (c/n 18362) which once served with the Federal Aviation Administration under the civil identity N78. It is maintained and operated by the US Air Force’s 310th Military Airlift Squadron, 61st Military Airlift Group, at Howard AFB, Panama.

Somewhat confusingly, the C-22A has a higher serial number than the four Boeing C-22Bs (model 727-035) which are operated by the DC ANG. The C-22Bs were purchased to replace six Boeing T-43A (model 737) transports formerly flown by the DC ANG. The C-22C is a ‘stretched’ 727-200 series version. The C-22Bs and C-22C are all painted in such a way that national insignia can be quickly removed.

A total of 1,832 examples had been built when production ended in 1984.

The RNZAF purchased three Boeing 727-100C (one for spares) in 1981 for long range passenger and cargo ops with No.40 Squadron.

US operator United Parcel Service’s re-engined their 727s with RR Tay 651s. This provided an 18% fuel burn improvement.

Gallery

727 100
Engines: 3 x Pratt & Whitney JT8D 7 turbofans, 14,000 1bs thrust each.
Length: 133 ft 2 in.
Wingspan: 108 ft.
Ceiling: 37,400 ft.
Range: 1,900 mls.

727-100C
Engines: 3 x Pratt & Whitney JT8D-7, 14000 lb.
Length: 133 ft.
Cruise speed: 607 mph.
Max speed: 630 mph @ 22,000 ft.
Range: 2020 sm.
Pax capacity: 131.

727-200
Powerplants: 3 × Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofans,
-15 rated at 15,500 lbf (69 kN) thrust
-17 rated at 16,000 lbf (71 kN) thrust
-17R rated at 17,400 lbf (77 kN) thrust
Wingspan: 108 ft (32.91 m)
Length: 153 ft 2 in (46.69 m)
Tail height: 34 ft (10.36 m)
Cruising speed: 570 to 605 mph (890 to 965 km/h)
Cruising altitude: 30,000 to 40,000 feet (9,100 to 12,200 m)
Range: 1,500 to 2,500 miles (2,750 to 4,020 km)
Max. number of passengers: 189

727-200
Engines: 3 x Pratt & Whitney JT8D-7 turbofan, 14,000 lb (6350 kg) st.
Wing span: 108 ft 0 in (32.92 m)
Length: 153 ft 2 in (46.69 m).
Wing area: 1,700 sq.ft (157.9 sq.m).
Gross weight: 172 000 lb (78 015 kg).
Max cruising speed: 595 mph (958 kph) at 21,600 ft (6585 m).
Typical range: 1290 miles (2,076 km).
Crew: 3.
Pax cap: 163-¬189.

727 200
Engines: 3 x Pratt & Whitney JT8D 9, 14,500 lb thrust.
Length: 153 ft. 2 in.
Height: 34 ft.
Wingspan: 108 ft.
Wing area: 1,700 sq.ft.
Wing loading: 107 lb/sq.ft.
Power loading: 3.91 lb/lb.
Operating weight: 100,840 lbs.
Useful load: 72,160 lbs.
Payload with full fuel: 17,957 lbs.
Maximum taxi weight: 173,000 lbs.
Maximum brake release weight: 172,600 lbs.
Usable fuel: 54,203 lbs.
Maximum landing weight: 150,000 lbs.
Zero fuel weight: 136,000 lbs.
Maximum rate of climb: 2,500 fpm.
One engine out rate of climb: 1,000 fpm.
One engine out climb gradient at 213 kt (Vy): 4.6 degrees.
Service ceiling: 36,000 ft.
Certificated ceiling: 42,000 ft.
One engine out ceiling: 23,000 ft.
Maximum speed: 549 kts.
Maximum cruise speed: 514 kts.
Economy cruise speed: 495 kts.
Duration to dry tanks, max cruise: 4.5 hrs.
Duration to dry tanks, econ cruise: 5.2 hrs.
Stall speed, clean: 165 kts.
Stall speed, full flaps: 100 kts.
Cabin pressurization differential: 8.6 psi.

727-225A
Engines: 3 x Pratt & Whitney JT8D-15, 14,500 lb.
Seats: 173.

727-77C
Engines: 3 x Pratt & Whitney JT8D-7A, 14000 lb.
Freight cap: 44,068 lb.