Boeing 727. Why was it relatively unsuccessful in the UK?
As far as I'm aware, there have only been three British airlines to have operated passenger flights with the 727; Dan Air, Sabre and Cougar (I'm not counting BAF's brief dalliance with JAT aircraft circa 1992). I think it's quite well known that, in the mid to late 1960s, BEA was interested in both the 727 and 737 but was steered towards the Trident and 1-11 by the government. Many UK airlines operated the 707 or 720 and the 737 was a popular choice for the IT brigade so what went wrong with the 727 ? Too big for 737 routes, too small for 707 routes ? Insufficient range ? Excessive import duties ? I would have thought (don't ask me why) the 727 would have been ideal for Britannia's and Monarch's more busy Mediterranean routes but it wasn't to be. Dan Air seemed to like them, although I concede they had to make some airframe modifications to keep the CAA happy.
Any ideas ?