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There's no question that the 737 is the work horse of the aviation world, but I wouldn't consider it iconic. I would say the 707 and 747 for sure. And maybe also the 727, because it was the first mid-market jetliner to enter service, and so brought the jets to smaller, less-glamorous markets. If the 707 was the preserve of the coast-to-coast jetsetters, and the 747 carried people across the oceans, the 727 was the wings of Mr. and Mrs. Middle America. (And yes, that role is now served by the 737.)
In regards to jet service to small markets, I would vote for the DC-9. The original 727's attribute, was it's ability to operate economically over medium range routes. Most of the markets it served, had already had jet service to some extent.
i thought about including it in my list, and it was a compromise between the 707 and the 737, in the end however i just dont like the location of the third engine. better to have made it a four engine aircraft, and use smaller engines to get the same thrust to weigh ratio. plus you get cleaner styling without the buried engine.
What you're describing is the Convair 880/990, which were produced in low numbers, and soon retired after the introduction of the 727.
Given the engine technology of the time, 4 engines were too many, and 2 too few, to meet Boeing's objectives with the 727. They didn't go through all those design headaches with the third engine just to be different.
Wouldn't call it a game changer. It first went into service in 1967 and lagged behind the DC-9 in sales for 20 years. It wasn't until it was re-engined starting with the -300 series, making it suitable for the economics of deregulation, did sales begin to grow into what they are today. It's main attribute being that's it's infinitely stretchable, in accordance with advancements in engine technology. The airframe itself has it's roots in the 707, so it's relatively inexpensive to manufacture and sell. Aeronautical wise, there's nothing revolutionary about it. Other than the engines, avionics, and some aerodynamic tweaks, it's a 1950's design.
Totally agree, but the question isn't the most revolutionary aircraft, just the most iconic. When the image of "Passenger Jet" is posed to people, I pretty much guarantee that the image of either a 747 or a 737 pop to mind.
The 737 is the Camry of the skies. Basic, inexpensive platform to make a near do anything aircraft. If it wasn't for the 737 a whole segment of airline likely wouldn't exist. ULC. Southwest, WestJet, RyanAir all revolve around a single aircraft. THAT'S iconic.
Totally agree, but the question isn't the most revolutionary aircraft, just the most iconic. When the image of "Passenger Jet" is posed to people, I pretty much guarantee that the image of either a 747 or a 737 pop to mind.
The 737 is the Camry of the skies. Basic, inexpensive platform to make a near do anything aircraft. If it wasn't for the 737 a whole segment of airline likely wouldn't exist. ULC. Southwest, WestJet, RyanAir all revolve around a single aircraft. THAT'S iconic.
I was mainly responding to the poster's statement that it was a "gamechanger", not the original subject title. The 737 is simply an airframe that happened to be right for existing market conditions. It's contemporaries were laden with the then in vogue aft mounted engines, which limited how much they could be modified. The 737 is a survivor by default.
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