Just wondering what the explanation is for jets of a previous era having the nosewheel so far back. The 747, L1011, DC-10, 757, as well as several Soviet designs, all had their nosewheel placed much further back than is usual nowadays (the most notable example of that being the A350). Was it smaller taxiways, did it have to do with CG or weight on nosewheel?
Thanks in advance!