I've flown the MD80 and the B727.
Rudder blanking simply wasn't an issue on the 727, it had a huge vertical fin and very effective rudder, much, much bigger than the MD80 and was not affected by any amount of reverse, its handling qualities were simply superb.
The -80 was entirely different, the tail was not much bigger than the DC9 with far bigger engines and the wing wasn't that much bigger either, it was really pushing the aircraft's capability.
It was really just a hodge podge of ideas with the minimal investment by MD, just like the DC10 with all its problems.
Rudder blanking was a serious issue and the test pilots knew it, their recommendations were and are to be taken very seriously and complied with.
They KNEW what they were talking about, unlike a few on this thread.
Last edited by stilton; 13th Apr 2015 at 08:27.