The original cargo 727 and 737 airplanes (in fact, 707Cs as well) have an
external release of the F/O cockpit sliding window permitting access from the outside of the airplane. I remember this feature for the PanAm's 727-21QC and 707-321Cs that I flew in the 1970/80s. All 707, 727 and 737 cargo airplanes which were "real cargo" from Boeing had this feature.
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Now, my question is regarding the many "passenger" 707, 727 and 737 airplanes which were fitted (later) with a cargo door and converted to cargo configuration.
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Did the conversion (at times very "crude") include installation of this feature on the outside of the F/O sliding window...? These airplanes (many 727 and 737s) were called 727-100F, 727-200F or 737-200F (rather than using the letter "C"). It is possible that they did not include that feature.
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I am assisting a 727/737 instructor and sending him copies of my 727C and 727QC material, publications and notes, but he asked me whether these converted planes did indeed include the feature as required in the original cargo airplanes. My manuals being the original Boeing and PanAm 727 books include the external F/O sliding window release handle.
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Likely that flight crews or technicians of "small package airlines" would know about this, UPS, DHL etc... I know that IAI in Tel Aviv did a lot of these conversions in the 1980s, but "did they" include an external release...?
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Thank you for letting me know.
As you see, this "old fart" does not know it all...!
Happy contrails