@lomapaseo
When comparing a 2, 3 or 4 engine aircraft, in which the total thrust from all engines is the same (2x50,000 lbs, 3x33,333.3 lbs and 4x25,000 lbs) the 4 engine aircraft will have the best performance (and therefore attain a higher performance certification), followed by the 3 holer and the twin. It's part of why my 727 is not performance limited in places where the competitions 737s are (as such we routinely take excess baggage and freight for the competition).
@lomapaseo
I admit that is a sleek looking aircraft, but 2 problems; (1) might want to rethink placement of the cargo door, (2) how much lost payload/additional weight etc. does putting the jet into the fuselage "cost", and how much does running it on the jet only and carrying the dead weight of the turboprops "cost"?
@barit1
There's too many engines to make effective comparison, but let's think small, a JT8D-17R vs. a PT6-67D, which do you think is gonna make more thrust at ANY altitude?