Originally Posted by
washoutt
Aft mounted engines require heavy structural adaption of the fuselage, a backwards c of g with associated limited travel, and large horizontal stabilizers to provide sufficient tail volume for aerodynamical stability.
All the rear engined airliners had problems with the C of G. Empty and they were close to - or outside - their aft limit and required ballast of some sort (barrels of demin water in the case of Monarch) in the front hold to be within limits. Another trick (1-11's in particular) was to "trap" unusable fuel in the centre tank which moved the C of G forward of the aft limit. On the other hand, put a full load of passengers and 150 bags on a 1-11 500 bound for (e.g.) Naples, with full wing tanks and 3000kgs (I think that's what it held) in the centre tank, then you would be very close to - or outside - the forward C of G limit, even if you were able to cram 85 bags (standard loading) in the rear hold. Give me a 737 with wing mounted engines any day!